VLADIMIR KARNOZOV / MOSCOW
Proposed organisation would bring together Aviadvigatel, NPO Saturn, PMZ and other powerplant manufacturers
The Russian government has proposed creating a consolidated engine organisation that would bring together the country's design bureaux and manufacturers.
The plan was outlined by Russian vice-president Boris Alyeshin at last week's signing by leasing company Ilyushin-Finance of a $100 million contract for 17 Aviadvigatel PS-90As with Perm-based production plant PMZ. The engines will power Ilyushin Il-96s and Tupolev Tu-204s that Ilyushin-Finance has on order from VASO and Aviastar, respectively.
The proposed "engine centre" would unite Aviadvigatel, NPO PMZ, Saturn and other manufacturers. Rosaviakosmos general director Yuri Koptev says the move would help the Russian government regain control over the big commercial engine business. The government's shareholding would be either 25.5% or 51%, with the remainder held by the partner companies' shareholders, which include InterROS, RAO Gazprom and Pratt & Whitney.
"The main condition for foundation of the centre is that the blocking stake is in government hands," says Koptev, "in return for which the government allows the use of intellectual property rights on the engines." The value of the intellectual property for the PS-90A is estimated at $200 million.
The government will begin considering restructuring of the aviation industry in early September, including the engine centre proposal. According to Alyeshin, the centre could start functioning as "an alliance of engine manufacturers" by year-end, and then a central controlling company will be set up.
PMZ has the capacity to produce 100 PS-90s a year, but has manufactured only a dozen new engines since 1998, concentrating instead on the production of industrial gas turbines. Koptev says that "this will change", with the Russian defence ministry alone needing 96 PS-90As to power Tuoplev Tu-214s and Ilyushin Il-76MFs on order, and to re-engine in-service Il-76MDs.
Meanwhile, Rosaviakosmos is prioritising the PS-90A2 project undertaken in co-operation with P&W, says Koptev. Certification is planned for 2005, with deliveries beginning in 2006.
Source: Flight International
