MANAGERS AT Rybinsk Motors, have launched a legal action against the Russian Government, in a last-ditch attempt to stop the auction of a 37% stake in the engine plant.
The Government gave the go-ahead to privatise Rybinsk in August, but, since then, the plant's managers have been fighting a rearguard action to delay the sale. It is now pencilled in for 28 December.
General manager Valery Shelgunov has filed a lawsuit with Russia's Supreme Court, arguing that Rybinsk has not yet been withdrawn from the list of strategically important defence enterprises and so cannot be privatised. "Our team of employees intends categorically to defend its rights in court," says Shelgunov.
Rybinsk produces D30 turbofans for the Ilyushin Il-62M and Tupolev Tu-154M airliners, as well as for the Ilyushin Il-76 freighter, which is also used in military roles.
Supporters of privatisation want to launch large-scale production of industrial turbines for gas pumping and power generation, with the country's natural-gas giant Gazprom expected to be a major bidder for the shares. General Electric has a long-term co-operation agreement with Rybinsk to develop industrial and aero engines.
Source: Flight International