Reported yesterday in several Chinese forums:
Ukraine studies joint aircraft production options with China
19.01.09 16:53Ukraine, Kiev, Jan. 19/ Trend News, Z. Novsvitski/
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry is considering the joint production of new L-15 military trainer aircraft with China, Minister Yuri Yekhanurov said after his 5-day visit to China.
L-15 is a new aircraft displayed at the Airshow China-2008. It is equipped with an engine made by the Ukrainian companies Progress and Motor Sich.
“The Defense Ministry has the capacity to implement these projects,” he said. “We are currently studying technical possibilities for repairing and overhauling our aircraft.”
He said cooperation between Ukraine and China would also be interesting by involving Russian companies.
“I think it is high time we hold trilateral talks and agree on joint projects to produce military and transport aircraft, as well as training officers for sea aviation and vessel production,” he said. “The cooperation seems promising. But I would like our Russian counterparts to also find common ground with us.”
Yekhanurov led a defense delegation to China from Jan. 13 to 18.
Hmmm …. :confused: My first impression was; what a joke, but now it seems as a realistic and reasonable step, esp. in mind of the cooling down of the Ukrainian – Russian relationship.
Other possiblities are the already mentioned An-70-derived FLA …
What do You think ??
Deino
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January 20, 2009 at 9:08 pm