Russian and Chinese partners have reached a preliminary agreement on developing an engine to power their proposed joint long-haul aircraft.
The memorandum of understanding has been signed by United Engine Corporation and China's commercial aircraft engine firm AECC.
Under the proposed schedule the engine would commence testing in 2022 and secure certification in 2027.
Russian state firm Rostec, which oversees United Engine, states that the pact centres initially on "objectives and main principles", including joint research and analysis and definition of customer requirements.
But it also covers engine design development and determination of the powerplant's operating parameters.
United Engine has already been working on a powerplant designated the PD-35 intended for application to long-haul, high-capacity aircraft.
This development will take into account technology used during the production of the PD-14 engine planned for the Irkut MC-21.
Rostec chief Sergei Chemezov says the Russian-Chinese partners intend to create a "powerful, world-class engine" which can be certified under international standards.
"It's not just a matter of being competitive, it is a matter of technological independence for our countries," he adds.
Rostec is referring to the aircraft using the designation 'C929' as well as a more generic Russian name. Developers of the twinjet, a venture between United Aircraft and Comac, has previously indicated that a maiden flight would take place in 2022.
Russian trade and industry minister Denis Manturov says the Russian-Chinese engine tie-up will define the basic principles and tasks of each side.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
