Russia plans to expand collaboration with Belarus in civil aircraft manufacturing - first deputy PM

MINSK. Oct 28 (Interfax) - Russia plans to expand collaboration with Belarus with specialized enterprises in the area of civil aircraft manufacturing, First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov said on Monday during a meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk.

"We have been actively collaborating with the enterprises of Belarus' civil aviation plants to manufacture parts and components, namely concerning the Il-76 aircraft and the Tu-214 aircraft. I expect the trend to continue, and that we will expand the line of aircraft, the range, and the number of parts and components," the BelTA state news agency quoted Manturov as saying.

"There is both technological equipment and, most importantly, teams of people who are ready to implement the project" in Belarus, Manturov said.

Manturov also said that Belarus is currently actively developing aircraft manufacturing, including accounting for implementing a joint project with Russia to construct the Osvey light aircraft.