China and Russia are developing a jumbo jet called the C929, which is expected to be ready for passenger flights in the next six or seven years.
The joint project is currently in a research and development phase, but when completed, the C929 is expected to have a significant impact on the civilian aircraft market.
The 280-seat wide-body passenger jet, with a range of nearly 12,000 kilometers is designed by Chinese and Russian engineers. The C929 will become China's largest civilian aircraft, as well as the biggest jetliner to be produced by Russia since the Cold War.
Unveiled at AirShow China last year, the jet will help boost the production capabilities of both countries.
Experts say that on its own, Russia’s market is too small for such an ambitious project, while China is ready to meet the challenge.
Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation will supply its most advanced avionics technology and a cutting-edge technology composite wing. China will handle the C-929 fuselage construction, with Shanghai-based aircraft maker COMAC set to assemble the jets.
At a cost of 13 billion US dollars, the fuel-efficient plane will compete with Boeing's 787 Dreamliner and the Airbus 350.
Industry experts say more than half of global demand for wide-body passenger jets will come from the Asia-Pacific market. And if China and Russia keep up the current pace of cooperation, engineers will soon be able to take to the skies to test the new aircraft.
