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Russia offers China advanced aircraft project

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DALIANG (China) (September 24 - RIA Novosti) - Ilyushin and Tupolev corporations invited China to join a series of projects to develop state-of-the-arts avionics and aircraft, Vladimir Belyakov, Ilyushin deputy director general, said at the Forum of Russian-Chinese Interregional Cooperation in Daliang on Saturday.

"In particular, work is in progress on the MS-21, a medium-haul jet that is expected to be 20% to 25% more efficient than Boeing or Airbus aircraft," Belyakov said.

These airplanes should replace the Russian-made Tu-154s, more than 600 of which are currently in service. Furthermore, the PRC could buy about 400 such aircraft.

"If everything goes according to plan, first new airplanes will take to the skies some time in 2012," Belyakov said.

Russia is offering the project on a shared financial risk basis, with the aircraft to be manufactured in China. "Neither Boeing nor Airbus has offered the PRC such terms," Belyakov added.

In early September, China signed a contract to buy a large number of Il-76 transport airplanes for the People's Army of China.

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