Projects of China-Russia, India-Russia Transport Aircraft

choi

(1) China-Russia Airplane Venture Planned. The Moscow Times, June 1, 2012
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/bu ... planned/459644.html
(will be based on the Ilyushin II-96)

My comment:
(a) Ilyushin II-96
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilyushin_Il-96
(a four-engined long-haul widebody airliner; Produced  1993-present; Number built  29; Unit cost        US$ 40-50 million)
(b) Russia is not the best source of airliners--or transport aircraft. For the latter, see next.

(2) Ilya Kramnik, The Long Story of Transport Aircraft for Russia and India. Voice of Russia, June 1, 2012.
http://english.ruvr.ru/2012_06_01/76727628/

My comment:
(a) Both (1) and (2) share the same Russian partner United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). Yet a Russian in (2) concedes UAC is incapable of going it alone (or partnered with India) without Ukraine: "Perhaps this plane would be an optimal choice both for Russia and India, but it will only be possible to speak seriously about its prospects if the UAC is able to join with the Antonov CB, and if the Ukrainian Motor-Sich company becomes a part of the UEC (United Engine-building Corporation).
(b) Why Ukraine?

Antonov
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonov
("is a Ukrainian aircraft manufacturing and services company with particular expertise in the field of very large aircraft construction. Antonov ASTC is a state-owned commercial company. Its headquarters are in Kiev")

* Antonov An-12
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonov_An-12
(military or civilian version; Produced  1957-1973 [in Ukraine, Soviet Union; Although the An-12 is no longer made in Russia or Ukraine, the Y-8 continues to be upgraded and produced in China; In 1981, the Chinese copy version of the An-12, designated Y-8, entered production. Since then the Y-8 has become one of China's most popular military and civilian transport/cargo aircraft)