MOSCOW, June 1 (RIA Novosti) - Russia is looking to sell Be-200 multipurpose amphibious plane in Europe, an official from the company that makes the plane said Thursday.
Viktor Kobzev, general director of Beriyev Tantk, based in the southern city of Taganrog, said the company was planning to sign a deal with Portugal in early June. He added that talks were underway with other prospective European buyers, including Italy.
"We will deliver one plane to Portugal for test flights over two or three months with a view to future sales on the Portuguese market," he said.
Kobzev said the company had filed an application with European civil aviation authorities to certify the plane for sales in Europe, and hoped to obtain permission in 2007.
The multipurpose turbofan aircraft can be configured as an amphibious fire-fighting aircraft, a cargo plane, a flying ambulance, or a passenger airliner (the Be-210).
In firefighting configuration the plan can pick up 12 tons (26,460lb) of water by skimming over the water's surface, making it an effective weapon in extinguishing forest fires, a role in which it is used by Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry.
Kobzev said two aircraft would be delivered to the ministry this year.
