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Irkut Corporation, the leading Russian aircraft manufacturing consortium, has entered into a formal agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd for jointly designing, developing and producing the twin-turbofan multi-role transport aircraft at a project cost of $250 million.
Touted to be the most ambitious transport product to enter the market, the MTA project (IL-214) will be taken up by a joint venture, being set up in association with another Russian aerospace company, Ilyushin Aviation Complex, to enhance its cost-effectiveness.
HAL officials said in Bangalore on Monday that a memorandum of understanding had been signed between the two partners for the project after intense negotiations at the just-concluded five-day Aero India 2003 show.
"The steering committe, represented by both sides, met at the air show venue and decided to go ahead with the project. The project is to be shared equally (50:50)by HAL and the Russian consortium with Irkut and Ilyushin as strategic partners.
"The proposal will be sent to the government soon for approval," a senior HAL official told rediff.com, adding that the first prototype of the MTA was scheduled to roll out in 2009.
The Bangalore-based HAL is one of the largest defence undertakings in the country. As the largest aeronautical behmoth in Asia, HAL is owned by the government.
It is also categorised as a strategic public sector enterprise.
Irkut officials, who were in Bangalore for participating in the aero show, told rediff.com on Saturday that a high-level team from Moscow held talks with the HAL top management to finalize the modalities of the deal, including the proposed investment.
According to Irkut president Alexey I Fedorov, the innovative design solutions in metal and composite materials developed by HAL, Ilyushin's aviation expertise, and Irkut's aircraft manufacturing skills provide a window of opportunity to develop the cargo or passenger airliner with unified fuselage, wing and empennage structure, as well as standard on-board avionics and equipment.
"In comparison with other aircraft of the same class, being developed and certified to operate from paved runaways, the IL-214 will be able to use even unpaved runaways with low-pressure wheels for take-off and landing," Fedorov claimed.
MTA can be used for a variety of applications, including transportation of cargo (in standard containers and pallets), ground vehicles, semi-assembled aircraft and helicopters, maritime patrol, and rescue operations.
"Featuring a semi-monocoque fuselage, the MTA structure will be made of advanced aluminum alloys and composite materials to ensure flight safety, reliability, durability, and low weight," Fedorov stated.
Unlike the conventional transport aircraft, the MTA's glass cockpit will boast of the latest ground and airborne avionics, including 6 multifunctional displays, 2 panels, and 2 head-up indicators.
To be built primarily for the Russian and Indian market, the 18-20 ton aircraft is being targeted to replace the ageing AN-32 military transport aircraft of the Indian army and that of the obsolete AN-12 and AN-26 transports of the Russian defence forces.
"We are setting 2006 as the project implementation deadline. In view of the consistent growth of the commercial cargo operations across India and overseas, the MTA will be an ideal buy for the national and private airliners, such as Indian Airlines, Air-India, Jet Airways, and freight carriers," an Irkut official disclosed.
The $500-million Irkut Corporation is closely associated with HAL in the production of the twin-seat Sukhoi-30 MKIs and upgrading of 18 Su-30K fighters, originally delivered to the Indian Air Force by the Sukhoi Design Bureau, Moscow.
Besides the MTA, Irkut is also keen on selling its multi-role amphibious aircraft (Beriev Be-200) to India for use in fire fighting, search-and-rescue missions, and transport operations.
Being built by one of Irkut's subsidiary, the Beriev Aircraft Company, based at Taganrog in central Siberia, the first batch of 7 Be-200 aircraft are being supplied to the Russian Ministry of Emergencies at a cost of $18-20 million between 2002-2005.
"The Be-200 has no competitors on the world market, as a similar one being built by Bombardier of Canada features different specifications. China and South Kerea have expressed interest in placing orders for Be-200. Italy and Greece have shown interest to evaluate the aircraft for their requirements," an Irkut official hinted.