Be-103 amphibian squadron to fly from Komsomolsk-on-Amur to St. Petersburg

KHABAROVSK, June 6 (RIA Novosti's Oleg Kulgin) - This summer a squadron of Be-103 amphibious aircraft will make a flight from Komsomolsk-on-Amur (Russia's Far East) to St. Petersburg, the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Association told RIA Novosti on Monday.

Marking the 60th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War (141-1945), the flight will pass along the lend-lease route, the. Warplanes were ferried from the United States to the USSR along this route during the war.

The amphibians will cover over 8,000 kilometers and make 16 stopovers, where their unique capabilities will be demonstrated.

The Be-103 is designed for use in different parts of the world with lengthy coastal regions which are hard-of-access for other kinds of transport, with many rivers and lakes.

The manufacturers of the Be-103 are the Komsomlsk-on-Amur association together with the Beriyev aircraft company in Taganrog.

In 2003, three Be-103 amphibians were shipped to the United States. A contract for the supply of 20 Be-103 planes to China is being finalized.

The total order portfolio now includes over 100 Be-103 planes. The association is currently making 30 planes.