DTN News: Russian Passengerjet Closer To Market After Delays
Source: DTN News / ReutersRussian manufacturer Sukhoi's long-waited Superjet 100 made its maiden flight in May 2008, missing an initial 2007 deadline, and the first deliveries of the regional jet are more than a year behind schedule.
The international engine certification process has been the main stumbling block for a plane piched by officials as a new hope for languishing Russian manufacturers eclipsed even at home by Western rivals.
"The certification is practically over," Putin said at the plant where Russia's Saturn makes the SaM 146 engines with French aerospace group Safran. (SAF.PA)
He said Saturn must guarantee production of 140 engines per year by 2014, a number that suggests Sukhoi plans to produce 70 of the jets that year.
Sukhoi management said that provided the certification comes this month, deliveries of the Superjet 100, designed to carry between 75 and 95 passengers, may start this year. The initial deadline was the end of 2008.
Sukhoi, best known for its fighter jets, is owned by Russia's state-controlled United Aviation Corporation (UAC) (UNAC.RTS). It is developing the Superjet 100 in partnership with Italy's Finmeccanica SpA. (SIFI.MI)
About 100 of the planes have been ordered and Russian flag carrier Aeroflot (AFLT.MM) tops the list of future buyers.
Putin, who held a government meeting at the Saturn plant, said the project was a priority and promised to take Saturn's financing needs into account when drafting Russia's 2011 budget.
He said Saturn, part of conglomerate Russian Technologies, will receive some state funding this year.
Russia is eager to breathe new life into its manufacturing and technology sectors as part of a drive to reduce dependence on natural resources. (Writing by Steve Gutterman, editing by Leslie Gevirtz)
