MOSCOW. Dec 21 (Interfax-AVN) - The $200 million contract with Airbus was signed Tuesday in the Gottdorf palace, Germany, by the Russian Irkut aircraft corporation for the production of beams, flap guide rails, floor frameworks and nose wheel bays for the A320 aircraft.
"The contract was signed by acting Irkut President Valery Bezverkhny and Airbus Chief Executive Officer Gustav Humbert," reads the press release of Irkut's press service obtained by Interfax-Military News Agency.
According to the press service, the contract was drawn up after an overall evaluation of bids by Russian enterprises in the framework of the tender announced in March 2004. According to the contract terms, the first deliveries are scheduled for 2006.
The press service added that a specially formed working group is preparing the manufacturing capabilities of Irkut for certification. The work includes harmonization of standards, modernization of manufacturing capabilities (galvanizing, thermal processing, painting, mechanical processing), acquisition and installation of equipment, development and production of fittings, tests of samples, refinement of logistics and organization of inspections.
"After Irkut's manufacturing capabilities are ready, the plant will get a certificate enabling it to undertake any procedures required to manufacture the most advanced units and elements of aircraft," reads the press release.
According to Bezverkhny, the contract with Airbus has a strategic meaning for Irkut. "Production of elements is a new, but promising field of activity for our company. I am sure that we will manage to fulfil all our obligations in set timeframe and with required quality. The qualification of plant's specialists, who have wealth of expertise in assembling cutting-edge equipment, as well as the high technological level of manufacturing capabilities that meet international requirements, will guarantee this," he said.