Belarus and Russia discuss establishing govt program in aircraft manufacturing up to 2035 - ambassador

MINSK. Jan 20 (Interfax) - Belarus and Russia are discussing the possibility of forming an interstate program in the field of aircraft manufacturing until 2035, Ambassador of Belarus to Russia Alexander Rogozhnik said.

"I hope there will be a joint interstate program in the field of aircraft manufacturing, which will affect not only the Osvey project [a Belarusian-Russian 19-seat aircraft for local airlines], but also the program for the development of aircraft manufacturing until 2035," the BelTA state news agency quoted the ambassador as saying.

"Today, we are discussing this issue with the United Aircraft Corporation together with the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation," Rogozhnik said.

Speaking about current cooperation in the field of aircraft manufacturing, he said that contracts are being concluded with OJSC Minsk Civil Aviation Plant No. 407 and OJSC 558th Aircraft Repair Plant.

"Today we are discussing what range of products to manufacture in our country in order to complement each other. This is a large layer of aircraft components related to both mechanics and hardware," Rogozhnik said.

First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov at a meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko at the end of 2024 said that the Russian side intends to expand cooperation with Belarusian specialized enterprises in the field of civil aircraft manufacturing.

"We are actively cooperating with enterprises of civil aviation plants of Belarus in the production of components. This concerns both the Il-76 and Tu-214 aircraft. I expect that this trend will continue, we will expand the line of aircraft, the range, and the number of components," Manturov said.

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

The comprehensive program for the development of the Russian aviation industry assumes the production of 994 civil aircraft by 2030. It was reported that in 2025 the program will be adjusted taking into account the real need of airlines for aircraft in the coming years.