PM: Russian govt to spend 41.8 bln rbl to ramp up Tu-214 production

KAZAN, Jun 22 (PRIME) -- The Russian government plans to allocate 41.8 billion rubles from the National Wealth Fund to Kazan Aviation Plant on expansion of production of the Tu-214 passenger aircraft to 20 planes per year, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said on Thursday.

“The project for mass production of Tu-214 is very important … As per the agreement with the president, I would like to tell you about the decision that was made yesterday. We will allocate 41.8 billion rubles from the National Wealth Fund on the project,” he said during a government session devoted to the national aviation industry.

The plant currently plans to reach the capacity of 10 planes in 2025, he said.

Governor of the republic of Tatarstan Rustem Minnikhanov said that the plant may reach the capacity of 20 planes per year earlier than the expected year of 2027.

“If we solve the financial problems and if we work out everything in detail … we will take control of everything and implement the task. We may be able to shorten the deadline slightly from 2027,” he said.

Vadim Korolyov, managing director of aircraft producer Tupolev, said that confirmed demand for Tu-214 amounts to 150 units until 2032. There are firm contracts for 20 Tu-214s, letters of intent were signed for 67 aircraft, and there are requests from potential customers for 61 planes, he said.

Localization of the Tu-214 production stands at 87%, and should be driven to 100% until the end of 2024, Korolyov said.

Mishustin also said that ramping up production of the mid-range narrow-body twin-engine passenger aircraft Tu-214 is very important. At the same time, it is necessary to develop a fully-integrated plan for production of a national aircraft, including after-sale support. The government should ensure creation of a stock of reserves and component parts for the aviation industry, he said.

The Tu-214 planes have 210 passenger seats, and its flight range reaches 6,500 kilometers. Currently, Rossiya Special Flight Unit uses the Tu-214 planes to fly top public officials, and several of the aircraft are used as business jets.

(84.2467 rubles – U.S. $1)

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