11-Feb-2011 10:07 AM
Hindustan Aeronautics not interested in cooperation with Irkut
India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) CFO, D Shivamurti, stated the company has no interest in moving into in civil aviation projects and rejected a proposal by Irkut to jointly develop the MS-21 narrowbody (RIA Novosti, 10-Feb-2011). Earlier this week, Irkut President Oleg Demchenko stated the companies were holding talks on the joint development of the aircraft, which is due to enter service in 2016. Mr Shivamurti stated HAL's first priority was defence transport aircraft and that the company did not currently produce any passenger aircraft.