OREANDA-NEWS. Rosoboronexport, the Aviacor Aircraft Factory (part of the Russian Machines corporation) and Italy-based Elettronica S.p.A. signed a package of agreements in Samara to cooperate on equipping the Antonov An-140 class of aircraft with modern electronic and radio equipment.

The Antonov An-140-100 will become even more competitive on many regional markets when equipped with new equipment.

"Different types of the Antonov 140-100 multipurpose aircraft have been successfully used in civil aviation and by the Ministry of Defense of Russia. Moreover, thanks to its technical characteristics, the aircraft is in demand in Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nigeria and other countries in Southeast Asia and Africa," noted Rosoboronexport representative Konstantin Grek.

"The Samara-based Aviacor Aircraft Factory began serial production of the Antonov 140-100 in 2006. Today we are interested in the production of different versions of this aircraft for applications in passenger and cargo transport, as a patrol aircraft, as part of aircraft surveying and mapping systems and environmental monitoring," said Aleksey Gusev.

Aleksey Gusev also noted that the signed agreements provide an opportunity for different enterprises in the Samara region to participate the project, including the Ekran Scientific Research Institute in particular.

"The agreements between Rosoboronexport, Aviacor and Elettronica S.p.A. ensure the successful promotion of the Russian-produced Antonov 140-100 on the world market, and they increase the standing of our company," noted Gianni Maratta, Business Development Manager for Russia and the CIS countries at Elettronica S.p.A.