Russia’s UAC plots civil ambitions
Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) president Alexey Fedorov yesterday gave details of his plans here for expanding the company’s civil business fro

Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) president Alexey Fedorov yesterday gave details of his plans here for expanding the company’s civil business from 10 percent to 20 percent in 2015, and then to 50 percent in 2025. The MS-21, a 150- to 210-seater, should prove instrumental.

“With the MS-21, we target a 10-percent share of the global market,” Fedorov said, making it clear he does not see Airbus and Boeing suffering too much from this competition. UAC plans three versions, dubbed -200, -300 and -400, carrying 150, 180 and 210 passengers respectively. First flight is pegged for 2013. The airliner could enter into service in the 2015-2017 timeframe. “Although Irkut is the leader, this is the first real UAC project, with many of our companies involved,” Fedorov pointed out. All engine manufacturers will be invited to bid for MS-21 power.