Article Posted on : - Oct 06, 2013

The Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft. A Sukhoi photo

MOSCOW (PTI): Russia is mulling production of two types of commercial aircraft in India, a move that would cut down the cost of production by 40 per cent.

Russia and India eye possible production of Russia's Superjet 100 regional airliner and a future Irkut MS-21 jetliner on the territory of India, head of the Russian Economic Development Ministry's Asia and Africa department Yevgeny Popov told reporters on Oct 4.

Responding to a query on whether the planes would be assembled in India, Popov said, "Yes, there is such an opportunity."

"According to India's calculations, the cost of a plane built on the territory of India can be reduced by 40 per cent," he was quoted as saying by Itar-Tass news agency.

The Russian-Indian intergovernmental commission for trade, economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation has started its 19th session here.

The Sukhoi Superjet 100 is a fly-by-wire regional jet in the 75- to 95-seat category while the Irkut MS-21 is a series of three twin-engine short-range and mid-range Russian jet airliners with a capacity of 150-212 passengers.