MAPO says India interested in Russian powered version of MiG-AT

Published: 10/4/1999

According to Vasily Shtykalo, General Designer of MiG, the Russian RD-1700 aircraft engine, developed by the Soyuz Design Bureau, was presented at the HAL company`s plant in India. He claimed that India has expressed a keen interest in MiG-AT trainer aircraft equipped with Russian-made RD-1700 engines. Currently, MiG-AT planes are offered with French-made Larsaque engines, which cost $1m each. India's demand for such planes is estimated to be 60-65 aircraft. Fire tests of RD-1700 engine are expected to follow later this year, while the first operational engine will be produced in year 2000. The approximate price of the new RD-1700 is $500,000. The development programme comprising the construction of 12 engines is valued at $70m. Soyuz has already invested $15-18m in the engine development from its own sources.

Article ID: 925