Belarusian president, Russian UAC head discuss boosting cooperation in aircraft building industry

MOSCOW. June 5 (Interfax) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has visited the Irkutsk Aircraft Plant and discussed broader cooperation in the production of military and civilian aircraft with United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) head Yury Slyusar.

"Opportunities of broader cooperation in the aircraft building industry were discussed during the visit. [...] UAC is set to boost cooperation with enterprises of the Republic of Belarus within the framework of the import substitution program and intensified aircraft production in Russia," the UAC press service said.

Belarus is an important client ordering Sukhoi Su-30SM fighter jets and Yakovlev Yak-130 combat trainers, the press service said, adding that the Belarusian flag carrier Belavia had shown interest in buying MC-21 planes and might become one of the first foreign operators of such aircraft.

"It is important now that we proceed from cooperation in aircraft maintenance and military programs to scaling our tasks for civilian products. Potentially, our order for Belarusian aircraft plants can bring billions of rubles. This is a matter of component parts and systems. We have signed contracts, we are cooperating and making products for Tupolev Tu-214, yet our efforts should be scaled and brought to a brand new level," the press service quoted Slyusar as saying.