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Canada, Russia suspend joint project to build aircraft in Ulyanovsk

The countries planned to jointly build the DHC-6 Twin Otter Series aircraft in the Ulyanovsk special economic zone on Russia’s Volga region
Inside the DHC-6 Twin Otter Series aircraft (archive) AP Photo/Gerald Herbert
Inside the DHC-6 Twin Otter Series aircraft (archive)
© AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

ULYANOVSK, August 17. /TASS /. Canada and Russia have suspended the implementation of a joint project to build the DHC-6 Twin Otter Series aircraft in the Ulyanovsk special economic zone on Russia’s Volga region but have not abandoned it completely, Denis Baryshnikov, head of the special economic zone told TASS on Monday.

"The market is developing at a slower pace than it was estimated by the initiators of the project. However, the project remains relevant and may be implemented by the companies in a few years," he said.

It is difficult to speak about any concrete time period but it the project may be resumed in at least 5-10 years, he added.

According to Baryshnikov, due to the suspension of the project the land plot, which was intended for the Vityaz aircraft plant, has been freed. Currently, it planned to use the area for the lease of industrial buildings, he said

At present the company has been excluded from the register of residents of the special economic zone, but it may receive a land plot in the second complex of the special zone, in case it needs it, he said.

The Vityaz aircraft plant is one of the first three residents of the Ulyanovsk special economic zone. It is a subsidiary of the Vityaz Aviation Corporation. The company planned to build and maintain 19-seat aircraft DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 400 in cooperation with Canada’s Viking company. It was planned to invest 457 million rubles ($7 bln) in the project and to produce 24 aircraft a year.

DHC-6 Twin Otter Series is a turboprop passenger aircraft with short takeoff and landing characteristics, developed by the Canadian subsidiary of de Havilland company. The aircraft is widely used on short destinations and on the airfields with short runways.