OREANDA-NEWS. Sukhoi, a leading Russian aircraft holding best known for its fighter planes, increased its net profit calculated to Russian Accounting Standards by 50.4 times in 2006 year-on-year, to 1,6 billion rubles ($61,5 million).

The company said the growth reflected a number of large contracts for aircraft deliveries abroad, including to Algeria and Venezuela, which were signed last year. Among other things, Russia's largest airline Aeroflot made an advance payment for Sukhoi Superjet 100s in 2006.

Sukhoi comprises design bureaus and commercial aircraft-building companies. The holding's key product, Su combat aircraft, is a global market leader. Sukhoi is also Russia's largest aircraft exporter and a member of the United Aircraft Building Corporation.