'Iran, Russia discuss joint production of passenger planes'

Iran and Russia are discussing joint production of passenger planes with a capacity of 70-150 seats, Deputy Minister of Industry, Mining and Trade Manochehr Manteghi says.

According to Press TV, Manteghi announced the plan at the opening of the 11th Iran's International Airshow & Aerospace Exhibition which he described as a starting point for strategic cooperation and advancement in the country’s aviation industry.  

“One of the important discussions of this exhibition is networking and providing a platform to achieve the desired accomplishments in the aviation industry,” he said.

Manteghi said some of the results of the previous exhibitions were the placement of knowledge-based companies in the supply chain and manufacturing of airplanes and helicopters, as well as the development of UAVs in the commercial sectors of the country, and the creation of a consortium between technological companies for the design and development of airplanes and helicopters.

In August, the head of the Civil Aviation Organization unveiled plans to produce a 50-seat passenger plane as part of efforts to counter the West which he said is waging a full-scale war against Iran’s aviation sector.

“The idea and plan to build a passenger plane has been around for years. It is an order and strategy that the Islamic Republic is following,” Mohammad Mohammadi-Bakhsh said.

According to Mohammadi-Bakhsh, three platforms of 50-,72- and 150-seat passenger planes have been prepared, wherein the country’s needs have been taken into account.

The production will start with a 50-seat model at the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries Corporation based in the central city of Shahin Shahr, he said.

The civil aviation program includes a 10-year roadmap charting out the direction which it has to take according to the needs of the regional and extra-regional markets. 

ME