MOSCOW. July 1 (Interfax-AVN) - The development of a preliminary design for the medium-range military transport airplane being developed jointly by Russia and India is almost complete, Viktor Livanov, a member of the board of Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), told Interfax.
"In September, we plan to unveil the preliminary design of the medium-range military transport airplane to the Russian customer. Its development has practically been concluded," he said.
A promising medium-range military transport airplane has been developed by Russia jointly with India on the basis of an interstate agreement with the use of research from the Ilyushin Aircraft Corporation in the Ilyushin Il-214 project.
"Following the presentation of the preliminary design, it will be put into development," he said.
Russia will implement the project with the use of India's state debt to Russia under the interstate agreement, he said.
It is planned to equip the Russian-Indian airplane with two types of engines. Such engines, PS-90-76s, have been selected by the Russian side. The Indian side will make its decision on the engines later. The projected payload is planned at no less than 18.5 tonnes and the liftoff load at 55-60 tonnes. The airplane should be able to base at airdromes in high mountains, including in hot climate.