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MC-21 aircraft with Russian engines to be delivered in 2019 — manufacturer

The new Russian aircraft will receive state support for market promotion

IRKUTSK, June 8. /TASS/. The new Irkut MC-21 passenger aircraft with Russian engines will be delivered to customers starting 2019, Head of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) Yuri Slusar told journalists on Wednesday.

"We plan to deliver the aircraft with PD-14 engines starting from 2019," Slusar said.

The PD-14 engine is developed by the United Engine Corporation (UEC). This is the first Russian engine in the last few decades. The first MC-21 aircraft will be equipped with American PW1400G engines. Later models will be delivered either with Russian or American engines, depending on the customers’ wishes.

MC-21 will receive government support 

The new Russian aircraft  will receive state support for market promotion.

"We should use all the experience, both positive and negative, which we received with SSJ-100 - that is what we say to the shareholders. This also applies to the state support measures. The proven measures that worked will be used on this project," Slusar said.

He also noted that measures of state support include remaining value guarantees, subsidies for attracting loans, export loans, state assistance in the completion of development work, receiving certificate.

According to Slusar, investment in MC-21 now totals about 100 bln rubles ($1.57 mln), including about 80% of state funds.

Presentation of the Irkut MC-21 aircraft was held on Wednesday in Irkutsk

Irkut MC-21 is a series of twin-engine short-range and mid-range Russian jet airliners set to replace Soviet Tu-134 and Tu-154 aircraft and its Western analogues.

The first MC-21 plane is planned to take off this year. Serial production of airliners is planned to start after 2020.