MOSCOW, February 13 (RIA Novosti) - Russian aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi and France-based electronics company Thales opened Monday a new software development center in Russia for Sukhoi's regional jet (RRJ) project.
The center was opened by the head of Russia's Federal Agency for Industry, Boris Alyoshin, Sukhoi CEO Mikhail Pogosyan, Thales CEO Denis Ranque, and French Transportation Minister Dominique Perben.
Thales, a multinational company serving aerospace and defense markets, will provide the center with equipment, and the work on developing the software to be used in the aircraft will be carried out largely by Russian specialists.
When completed, the software will be certified according to international standards.
Alyoshin said, "RRJ is an innovative project being implemented by the best global companies, and this is an aircraft for which Russia will not only receive elements from abroad, but one which we are creating with significant international cooperation, and which will allow new production to emerge in Russia."
Perben said, "For France, this project presents a new element in the national industry - it provides both new work opportunities and new production. Such cooperation can only be built on the basis of political and industrial trust."
Sukhoi also signed an agreement of intent with Thales Training and Simulation on the supply of aviation training systems for the RRJ project. Under the agreement, the Thales Group subsidiary will supply Sukhoi with training systems and equipment for the RRJ project.
Although Sukhoi is probably better known for its military aircraft in the West, it hopes the RRJ will become the first Russian-made civilian plane to be successfully exported, with domestic and overseas sales reaching at least 800 by 2023. The project involves major American and European aviation corporations, including Boeing, Snecma, Thales, Messier Dowty, Liebherr Aerospace, and Honeywell.
In December, Aeroflot, a major Russian air carrier, and Sukhoi Civil Aircraft, a subsidiary of the Sukhoi state holding, signed an $820-million deal for 30 RRJ planes.
