Commercial

Would the UAE, Russia Partner for a Civil Aircraft?

By S.L. Fuller | November 14, 2017
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Plane with a technological electronics circuit.

File photo

There’s a possibility that the United Arab Emirates and Russia will jointly produce a civil aircraft. A discussion during the Dubai Airshow, occurring now and ending Thursday, ended with the intent to explore the idea.

“We will create a working group to discuss it further,” said Rostec’s CEO, Sergei Chemezov.

[Russia to invest $1.5 billion for development of domestic avionics]

The discussion would revolve around an aircraft based on Russia’s single-aisle twin passenger jet, MC 21-400, according to Rostec. It would be able to carry 250 passengers. Joint production would take place in the UAE.

Rostec said the Russian delegation met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Nov. 12.

In February, reports surfaced that Rostec and the UAE Ministry of Defence announced a partnership to co-develop a fifth-generation light combat fighter. Chemezon reportedly unveiled the arrangement during IDEX in Abu Dhabi.

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