Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) will invest an additional $231.88 million in development and production of the Russian-Ukrainian An-148 short-haul passenger aircraft at its Irkut Corporation susidiary, Irkut, said on Monday.
As of June 1, 2010 UAC has invested $360.5 million in the project, the company said.
Irkut said earlier this month it would manage the An-148 program, promote the plane on internal and foreign markets, set terms and agreements with the developer and key suppliers and would be the sole seller of An-148s to airlines, leasing companies and the government, replacing Ilyushin Finance Co.
Irkut hopes the An-148 could fill about 10 percent of the aircraft market in the 61-99 seats capacity segment in 2010-2028. The aircraft will be sold in Russia, the CIS, Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia, India, and other states. Eight companies have so far ordered An-148s, Irkut said.
"We expect other leasing companies to invest in the An-148," Irkut said.
Irkut said it expects sales of An-148s will amount to $6.5 billion.
MOSCOW, September 24 (RIA Novosti)
