Russia looking for partner in India to manufacture civic planes

NEW DELHI, December 20 (Itar-Tass) -- Russia wants to find a partner
in India to launch joint production of civic aircraft, a top executive of
Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) said here on Monday.
"We offer to establish joint production of An-148 aircraft in India,"
said UAC's President Alexei Fyodorov, who is attending a Russian-Indian
trade and investment forum.
According to Fyodorov, the two countries have vast experience in joint
production of military aircraft, including with the company Hindustan
Aeronautics Limited, but no such experience in the area of civic aviation.
"We would like to find a partner in India to set up production of civic
aircraft for India's domestic market," he said.
Russia offers Superjet-100 and An-148 planes to be jointly
manufactured in India, Fyodorov noted. "We are holding consultations, the
Indian side is showing interest," he went on. In his words, the Indian
market is "difficult and competitive." "One must master a long way to get
to it," he stressed.
Apart from it, Fyodorov said UAC will offer India the medium-haul
passenger MS-21 plane. Consultations with the Indian side have already
started, he added.
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