The Irkutsk Aircraft Production Association (IAPO) and private Russian aerospace group Kaskol have joined aluminium giant Basic Element (formerly Siberian Aluminium) in negotiations with bankrupt Fairchild Dornier about a possible rescue of the 728 regional jet project (Flight International, 13-19 August).
The Russian companies are discussing forming a Russian-German joint venture, which would see parts manufactured in Russia. The project would require $1.5 billion, according to Russian reports. The proposal was discussed by EADS co-chief executive Philippe Camus and Russian prime minister Mikhail Kasyanov at last week's Russian-French aerospace conference in Moscow. Although EADS has no interest in acquiring Fairchild Dornier, it is keen to secure investments that its companies - such as Casa, which was responsible for wing and empennage production - have made in the 728.
IAPO, which produces twin-seat Sukhoi Su-27/30 fighters and Beriev Be-200 amphibians, confirms it is participating in negotiations. Kaskol says its joint engineering centre with Airbus, due to open early next year, could provide engineering support. "For the time being we are only offering engineering and manufacturing capabilities. If it goes forward, we could become a risk-sharing partner," it says. Fairchild Dornier's administrator was unavailable for comment.
Source: Flight International
