Sukhoi civilian aircraft unit at Nagpur

The Russian military aircraft major, Sukhoi, will soon be setting up a civilian aeroplane manufacturing plant in Nagpur.

"The Sukhoi will invest Euro 2 billion (Rs 13,600 crore) for manufacturing about 25 to 50 super jets initially and later 100 aircraft at full capacity," Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Vilas Muttemwar said on Friday.

"The super jets will be of 90 to 130 seats," Muttemwar said.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh is likely to sign the agreement in the regard in the presence of Union Defence Minister A K Antony early next month.

A Malaysian group, Al-Bukhari, which has expertise in developing airports will be a strategic partner in developing the Special Economic Zone for solar energy, he said.

Bawasi, an Indian partner, will acquire land, rehabilitate the affected people and develop the SEZ as part of the prestigious international passenger and cargo hub in the city.

Muttemwar said Al-Bukhari will invest Euro 6 billion in the process of setting up mono crystalline growing facility having a capacity of 20,000 metric tonnes on a piece of land measuring 400 hectares.

The aircraft manufacturing plant itself would provide direct employment to 15,000 persons and generate about 75,000 indirect jobs.