Despite political tensions and a Ukrainian ban on most technological exports to Russia, Ukraine's aerospace industry still participated in the MAKS-2015 air show on an unofficial basis, business daily Vedomosti reported.
The head of engine manufacturer Motor Sich, Vyacheslav Boguslayev was present at the airshow, where the company's Russian branch was featured at a stand. Ukraine's other major aerospace manufacturer, Antonov, was not present at the air show, although its executives were seen attending, sources told the newspaper.
Russia's military expects to put over 250 planes and helicopters into service in 2015, despite limits on helicopter engine imports. According to commander of the Russian Air Force Viktor Bondarev, some of the shipments may even come ahead of schedule.
"We should receive over 250 planes and helicopters this year. And there are no doubts that we will receive this equipment from the industry," Bondarev told RIA Novosti.
A source in Russia's Rostec told Vedomosti that Russian Helicopters expects to sign another $100 million contract to buy Motor Sich helicopter engines in 2016, as the company's previous $1 billion three-year contract expires in 2015. The full-scale production of the TV3-117 engines necessary for Russian helicopters is expected to begin in 2017.
