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Contracts on RF aircraft production to be signed shortly – Rogozin

The vice-prime minister stressed that Russia with its time zones “cannot live without its own air facilities"

ULYANOVSK, August 23 (Itar-Tass) — A big package of contracts on producing Russian-made aircraft will be signed shortly, Vice-Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said.

Opening the International Air Transport Forum 2012 (IATF) on Thursday, Rogozin said: “We are on the verge of big and positive changes. We are on the verge of signing major contracts on industrial production of Russian aircraft.”

The vice-prime minister stressed that Russia with its time zones “cannot live without its own air facilities, without military and civil aviation, and without heavy-lift aircraft and light planes”. “Here, in Ulyanovsk a new Il-476 plane is waiting for its first flight at the Aviastar JV. Then we will wait for a big contract, which will give new jobs for Ulyanovsk and other aircraft factories in Russia,” Rogozin noted.

Rogozin emphasised that the IATF “is designed to discuss plans on forcing out foreign equipment of Russia’s market by replacing it by up-to-date Russian reliable aircraft”.

The forum involves key aircraft factories and air transport companies of Russia, business communities and experts from 15 European countries.

Within three days the participants in the forum will take part in round-table discussions on the development of the aeronautical industry and training personnel for aeronautics and on the signing of agreements on investment projects.

A new transport plane, Il-76-MD-90A, under the name of the Il-476 will be presented at the IATF 2012 forum.

The forum will be ended by an air show with the participation of leading pilot groups of Russia and all around the world.