Russian-Indian Multi-role transport aircraft to receive Russian engine

India has agreed to install the Russian PS-90 engine on the multi-role transport airplane which the two countries are developing, United Aircraft Corporation (OAC) head Yuri Slyusar told journalists on Monday.

"The Indians have agreed to the PS-90. The project itself will replace the Antonov group of airplanes which in the near futures will begin to leave service en masse ", said Slyusar at the Aviation salon at Le Bourget (France).

The project is currently at the stage of the adoption of the preliminary design, observed the head of the corporation. He said that the OAC had "high hopes" to sign a contract on the transition to the stage for a detailed design by the end of the year.

The international agreement on the joint development and construction of a Multi-role/Medium Aircraft was signed by the Russian and Indian governments back in 2007. Over the past few years the future partners have agreed that the Russian and Indian partners would share the company 50:50 Aircraft manufacturing would be located both in Russia and in India.

The production plans envisage hat 205 aircraft will be produced, of which 30% can be exported to other countries. If everything goes to plan, then the first MTA flight will take place in 2016-2018.

The Russian Ministry of Defense expects to order 100 aircraft of this type, India – 45. This will reach the break-even level of production. The total international market potential for the MTA is estimated at 390 aircraft taking into account civil transport aircraft.

First published in Russian by RIA Novosti.

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