Russia, the biggest supplier of military airplanes to India, plans to launch a foray into the Indian market of commercial aircraft during India Aviation 2012, said Russia’s top plane builder.
“The airshow will mark the starting point in our vigorous marketing campaign to sell Russian-built airliners in the region,” Mikhail Pogosyan, President of Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), told The Hindu .
In Hyderabad UAC will showcase its Sukhoi Superjet 100 passenger plane, which rolled off production lines a year ago, and the futuristic MS-21 airliner, which is due to enter service in 2017.
“We are planning to sell in India about 100 passenger aircraft by 2030, which will account for 10 percent of the Indian market of airliners in the 60 to 220 seat segment” Mr. Pogosyan said adding that first contracts may be signed as early as next year.
Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) is a medium-haul airliner that has incorporated the best in aircraft technologies sourced from more than 20 world leading manufacturers. Available in the 75- and 95-seat configuration, the plane can operate on routes of up to 4,500 km and will compete with Embraer and Bombardier regional jets.
SSJ100 made its Indian debut in Bangalore last year, and in Hyderabad it will for the first time perform demonstration flights for aviation officials and journalists.
Russians will also display a full-scale mockup of the cockpit and cabin of MS-21, a narrow-body regional airliner that will aim for a 10-percent lower operating costs compared with other aircraft in the 150-220 seat categories.
“We are interested in inviting Indian companies to take part in the MS-21 programme,” said Mr. Pogosyan.
“The unprecedented scope of Russian-Indian cooperation in military aviation has created a scientific and engineering basis for undertaking joint projects in civil aviation,” he added.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Sukhoi Design Bureau have started work on the preliminary design of the fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA), the Indian variant of Russia’s Perspective Multi-role Fighter (PMF), the UAC chief said.
“We’re working as one team. Indian specialists are in Moscow, while a Russian team is in Bangalore.”
Mr. Pogosyan revealed that before July Russia and India plan to sign a preliminary design contract for the Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA) the two countries will jointly build for their armed forces.
