MOSCOW. Dec 27 (Interfax-AVN) - The Russian-Indian intergovernmental agreement on developing the Multi-Role Transport Aircraft (MTA), signed in November 2007, is being worked out in details.
"This month a group of Russian aircraft experts paid a visit to India to negotiate the project with their Indian counterparts. They discussed the following two crucial issues: establishment of a joint venture and the MTA development schedule for the next three years," Ilyushin Director General Viktor Livanov told Interfax-AVN on Thursday.
According to him, the joint development of a draft design is expected to be conducted in 2008.
"The intensity of the MTA development will depend on the joint venture establishment deadline and financial resources," Livanov said.
"In fact, the draft design may be developed in early 2008," Livanov said.
The MTA development costs are estimated at $600 million. Given that Russia and India participate in the project on a par, they have to foot $300 million each, Livanov said.