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Russia showcases aviation ambitions at air show
Wed 22 Aug 2007, 5:25 GMT
By Guy Faulconbridge
ZHUKOVSKY, Russia (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin vowed to revive Russia's once mighty aviation industry on Tuesday as he opened an air show aimed at showcasing the country's industrial and military ambitions.
"Russia ... faces the task of maintaining supremacy in producing military aircraft," Putin said at the MAKS-2007 air show at Zhukovsky airbase east of Moscow as two dozen military jets, passenger planes and helicopters roared past him in aerobatic formation.
"The show presents the unique potential of our country," said Putin.
Last week, Russia revived its Soviet-era practice of continuous long-range bomber patrols, sending 14 aircraft on such missions in the latest in a series of moves apparently designed to show off Russia's new-found assertiveness.
On Tuesday, Britain's Ministry of Defence said two of its Royal Air Force Typhoon jets had shadowed one of those bombers. It showed pictures of the Russian Bear-H aircraft over the North Atlantic Ocean, but outside of British air space.
Russia's military is now receiving a major injection of cash to modernise ageing equipment -- including new planes -- after years of under-funding and neglect since the Soviet Union ceased to exist.
Russia is also seeking to revive production of civilian aircraft as part of its strategy to promote high-tech industry and reduce dependence on oil and gas exports.
Manufacturers like Tupolev and Ilyushin used to turn out hundreds of jets a year but that has been reduced to a handful as Russian carriers switch to more comfortable and economical Boeing and Airbus airliners.
NEW PROJECTS
In a bid to reverse that decline, Putin ordered Russian aviation firms to merge into the United Aviation Corporation (UAC), which is intended to compete with foreign rivals.
Interfax news agency quoted UAC President Alexei Fyodorov as saying the company would offer up to $1 billion (504 million pounds) in shares in a private placement next year and planned an IPO by 2010.
One of its biggest projects is the Sukhoi Superjet regional airline, which will be the first all-new airliner model produced in Russia since the fall of the Soviet Union.
A senior Russian aviation executive, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that deals to order Superjets could be announced at the air show.
"There are lots of talks going on. We hope to have something to announce by the end of the air show," said the executive.
This year's show, the biggest yet, involved around 800 participants including delegates from Boeing and Airbus.
Other deals and announcements made at the air show on Tuesday included:
*VSMPO-Avisma, the world's biggest titanium maker, announced the formation of a joint venture with Boeing to produce parts for the U.S. aircraft maker's 787 Dreamliner jets.
*VSMPO-Avisma said it planned to invest between $800 and $1 billion to increase output of titanium products, and may list shares abroad in 2010. Its products are widely used in aircraft production.
*The defence arm of planemaker Sukhoi signed a contract to supply Indonesia with 6 fighters, worth $300 million, which will increase Jakarta's Russian-made fleet to 10 planes.
*Rosoboronexport said it was planning to issue shares in its helicopter-making unit Vertolyoty Rossii before 2012.
On Wednesday, new Airbus CEO Tom Enders is scheduled to speak to reporters at the show, while Russia's Tupolev civilian jet maker is expected to unveil new models.
(Additional reporting by Oleg Shchedrov)
Reuter.com
Wed 22 Aug 2007, 5:25 GMT
By Guy Faulconbridge
ZHUKOVSKY, Russia (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin vowed to revive Russia's once mighty aviation industry on Tuesday as he opened an air show aimed at showcasing the country's industrial and military ambitions.
"Russia ... faces the task of maintaining supremacy in producing military aircraft," Putin said at the MAKS-2007 air show at Zhukovsky airbase east of Moscow as two dozen military jets, passenger planes and helicopters roared past him in aerobatic formation.
"The show presents the unique potential of our country," said Putin.
Last week, Russia revived its Soviet-era practice of continuous long-range bomber patrols, sending 14 aircraft on such missions in the latest in a series of moves apparently designed to show off Russia's new-found assertiveness.
On Tuesday, Britain's Ministry of Defence said two of its Royal Air Force Typhoon jets had shadowed one of those bombers. It showed pictures of the Russian Bear-H aircraft over the North Atlantic Ocean, but outside of British air space.
Russia's military is now receiving a major injection of cash to modernise ageing equipment -- including new planes -- after years of under-funding and neglect since the Soviet Union ceased to exist.
Russia is also seeking to revive production of civilian aircraft as part of its strategy to promote high-tech industry and reduce dependence on oil and gas exports.
Manufacturers like Tupolev and Ilyushin used to turn out hundreds of jets a year but that has been reduced to a handful as Russian carriers switch to more comfortable and economical Boeing and Airbus airliners.
NEW PROJECTS
In a bid to reverse that decline, Putin ordered Russian aviation firms to merge into the United Aviation Corporation (UAC), which is intended to compete with foreign rivals.
Interfax news agency quoted UAC President Alexei Fyodorov as saying the company would offer up to $1 billion (504 million pounds) in shares in a private placement next year and planned an IPO by 2010.
One of its biggest projects is the Sukhoi Superjet regional airline, which will be the first all-new airliner model produced in Russia since the fall of the Soviet Union.
A senior Russian aviation executive, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that deals to order Superjets could be announced at the air show.
"There are lots of talks going on. We hope to have something to announce by the end of the air show," said the executive.
This year's show, the biggest yet, involved around 800 participants including delegates from Boeing and Airbus.
Other deals and announcements made at the air show on Tuesday included:
*VSMPO-Avisma, the world's biggest titanium maker, announced the formation of a joint venture with Boeing to produce parts for the U.S. aircraft maker's 787 Dreamliner jets.
*VSMPO-Avisma said it planned to invest between $800 and $1 billion to increase output of titanium products, and may list shares abroad in 2010. Its products are widely used in aircraft production.
*The defence arm of planemaker Sukhoi signed a contract to supply Indonesia with 6 fighters, worth $300 million, which will increase Jakarta's Russian-made fleet to 10 planes.
*Rosoboronexport said it was planning to issue shares in its helicopter-making unit Vertolyoty Rossii before 2012.
On Wednesday, new Airbus CEO Tom Enders is scheduled to speak to reporters at the show, while Russia's Tupolev civilian jet maker is expected to unveil new models.
(Additional reporting by Oleg Shchedrov)
Reuter.com
