Sukhoi Super Jet: the great white hope of the Russian aircraft industry?

Russia's civilian aircraft industry collapsed with much of the rest of its economy after the break-up of the Soviet Union.
Now, the country is hoping to gain a foothold on the global market for short-haul passenger aircraft, competing with the industry's two current titans, Canada's Bombardier and Brazil's Embraer.
Of all the projects it has to choose from, the Russian government has opted to finance the Sukhoi Super Jet (SSJ)-100 program. The United Aircraft Corporation, which brings together all Russia's aviation production facilities, plans to start mass producing SSJ-100 planes in the next three years.
On July 10, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) approved a low-interest credit line to assist the Sukhoi Civil Aircraft company in implementing the SSJ-100 program.
The project has attracted so much interest partly because the SSJ-100 could be used to promote other Russian aircraft on the global market.
Short-haul airliners seating up to 100 passengers are the most competitive and promising segment of the Russian aircraft industry, because only Bombardier and Embraer can compete with local producers on the country's domestic market. Russian companies, however, are still far behind their rivals on the international market.
This can primarily be explained by the fact that foreign customers simply do not like Russian airliners. Consequently, the Tupolev Tu-334 and Antonov An-148 planes, which were tested and certified long ago and can now be mass-produced, are still ordered only by Russian airlines and by Iran, which requires aircraft that do not have U.S.-made components.
However, the SSJ-100, which is being developed by Sukhoi Civil Aircraft in conjunction with foreign parts suppliers, could change the situation overnight. The American company B/E Aerospace will provide world-class interiors. The joint venture PowerJet, involving France's Snecma Moteurs, is developing the SSJ-100's engines. And U.S. aviation giant Boeing is providing technical consulting services.
Another joint venture involving Italian aerospace giant Finmeccanica, due to be established on July 15, will sell the new airliner on the European market and will also provide post-sale support.
The SSJ-100 represents an important step forward for the Russian aircraft industry because it is the country's first "post-Soviet" plane. The participation in the project of so many well-known foreign companies should give investors confidence in its success.
Most importantly, the complete transparency of this $1.4 billion program has given investors the needed insight into its financial aspects. The Russian government will provide about 8.7 billion rubles (about 247.8 million euros at the current exchange rate), and the EBRD will allocate 100 million euros in the next 10 years. Alenia Aeronautica, a Finmeccanica subsidiary, will buy a 25% stake plus one share in Sukhoi Civil Aircraft, and the Italian partner has convinced the national carrier, Alitalia, to buy 10 SSJ-100s.
It is hardly surprising that the government is betting on the SSJ-100. The United Aircraft Corporation, which is concentrating its efforts on this project, has put off the production of An-148 planes, and the Tu-334 will be mass-produced only if there is sufficient domestic demand.
Although Aeroflot Russian Airlines, the country's state-controlled flag carrier, has ordered 45 SSJ-100s, and the first deliveries are scheduled for 2008, their prototypes remain grounded. However, static tests of the SSJ-100's airframe began on July 9.
Russia's Dalavia airline, its leasing company Ilyushin Finance and Alitalia have ordered six, 10 and 10, respectively, of the SSJ-100-95, which seats 95 passengers. This is the most popular version of the Super Jet even though, with a price tag of $25-$28 million, it is also the most expensive. This makes for a total of 71 orders for SSJ-100s. Ten and 25 planes will be delivered in 2008 and 2009, respectively, and the rest will arrive in 2010.
In addition to those mentioned above, 29 more planes may be ordered soon. The United Aircraft Corporation expects other European airlines to follow Alitalia's lead and to order $2 billion worth of SSJ-100s by 2015. The success of the new airliner could pave the way for other Russian planes to enter the global market.
Will all this will worked, concerning Sukhoi compared to Antonov or Tupolev doesn't have an
experience in commercial jet production. Only time will tell.

Whats Russian up to?

"On Oct 18 2007 India and Russia signed a landmark Intergovernmental Agreement for the joint development and joint production of the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA), marking the beginning of cooperation in the development of state of the art new technology major weapon systems. The agreement was signed by the Secretary Defence Production Mr KP Singh and Deputy Director of the Federal Service for Foreign Military Cooperation Mr. Vyacheslav Dzirkaln in the presence of the Defence Minister Mr. AK Antony and his Russian counterpart Mr. Anatoly Serdyukov in Moscow today. The watershed agreement was signed at the conclusion of the Seventh Meeting of the India- Russia Intergovernmental Commission for Military and Technical Cooperation. Mr Antony and Mr Serdyukov also signed a Protocol which envisages a ‘new strategic relationship’ based on greater interaction at various operational levels.
Speaking to reporters shortly after the signing ceremony, Mr Antony said the two countries have agreed to strengthen and expand relations in all areas especially in the areas of joint exercises and greater cooperation in the field of Research and Development. Now the frequency and level of exercises will be higher, Mr. Antony said. He said talks with Russia have started to extend the Military Cooperation Agreement beyond 2010. The pact had been signed during the Russian President Mr. Vladimir Putin’s visit to India in 2000.
The Defence Minister described the Agreement on FGFA as a ‘major landmark’ and said that the Indo-Russian relationship is on a trajectory to reach new heights. He hoped that the two countries would soon sign an Intergovernmental Agreement on co-development and co-production of Multi-Role Transport Aircraft. Mr. Antony expressed satisfaction at the outcome of discussions on other important projects e.g., supply and licensed production of T-90 tanks, SU-30 MKI aircraft and other strategic issues. He admitted that there has been a delay in the delivery of the repaired and refurbished aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov along with supply of deck-based fighter aircraft MiG-29-K and said it was decided that some more studies by technical groups would be done to go through the details. He appreciated the efforts made by the Russian side to resolve issues relating to life cycle support of equipment of Russian origin.
On the question of Integrity Pact, he said, the objective is neither to create problems for anybody nor to favour anybody. What India wants is transparency in all defence purchases. In the past, there have been a lot of controversies. We want to avoid it. We want speedy modernisation but with transparency.Integrity Pact is one of the safeguards for transparency."

One question still lingering around if you look into Russian current inventory list there is no latest fighter aircraft around compared to western conterpart. Almost all new Russian fighter either a rebuilt or redesignates with new identification. As example Su-27 has been rebuilt, refitted with new avionic and altered design and coded as Su-30 or something else. Same to the Mig-29 Families of aircraft. If you looked to France there is a Rafale, if you looked into other European tri-nation collaboration there is Eurofighter "Typhoon" and Sweden with Saab Gripen and off course US F-22 Raptor. All now in service with the respected country.

Actually we have seen Russian prototype fighter SU-37 Berkut and Mig-1.42 (Above photo) in the making but none gone into full production. I'll think the best way for Russian will be collaboration with other country, like India or why don't they just copied other design like F-22 Raptor. Remember the famous AN-72 Coaler having a similar concept to the Boeing C-14. Russian will be left behind in stealth technology or similar technolgy or maybe the up to something behind the veil or are they? ...naah

Remember the Malaysian Cosmonaut that has been making headlines in their country, because the government concern regarding the redicule alleged tourist cosmonaut by certain quarters, the goverment taking step by asking Russian to gave official Cosmonaut title to him. For me whatever happen he still consider 'tourist', but the Cosmonaut title is stuck to him he still call Cosmonaut isn't it? ( The person who has been to space is call Astronaut or Cosmonaut- be it as tourist, commercial purpose or military).

Extravagant and Unnecessary?

I'm backed. The controversial questions asked upon the Indian Su-30 contract, when IAF received their first eight aircraft worth $375 million - out of the $1.8 billion contract for 40 Sukhoi Su-30MKI arrived in Pune in June 1997. Besides being the largest arms deal ever, the schedule for delivery and modification of the Su-30s is the most complex in aviation history. The last aircraft upgraded from the aircraft defence variant Su-30 converted to multi-role Su-30MKI will be returned by Russia in 2007- that is 11 years after the contract was signed in frantic haste! (contract signed in 1996). This is the first time India has purchased a product not already in use in the country of origin. Well, whatever reason behind the purchase, its must be a strong and legitimate one. For me if its for a defence of your motherland we must supported it.

Well, what about sending man to space?. No body care to question it. A couple of day ago Malaysian send their first man to space with Russian spacecraft along with a female US Nasa's ISS commander and Russian, which will make a trip to the ISS station and return on Oct 21.
Who was the very first Southeast Asian in space? -- The first Southeast Asian AND the very first ASIAN in space is Phạm Tuân of Vietnam. He was launched to orbit on 23 July 1980 and stayed there for 7 days 20 hrs 42 mins and completed 142 orbits.Sending man to space is not a 'free' fanfare, well I don't know how much money involved either. For me its a waste of funds. What is it we trying to accomplished, beside name that others haven't accomplished yet?. Every day on TV, a news of poor people appeared, living in filthy shack without proper foods and amenity. I didn't opposed development but its must be parallel with humanity, moreover the money we spend for this space fanfare could be spend to eradicate poverty.

Singapore Airline's Airbus A380, the world's largest and most modern jetliner, arrived Wednesday in its new home, ahead of a historic flight next week that its makers say will redefine luxury in the air. This is the most anticipated event this century in aviation," said Bey Soon Khiang, a senior executive vice president of the airline. "A380 is a game-change. This week the game changes."Well, what are they doing is for goodness of their business. I can't blamed them, in order to compete in airlines business you must out manouvre you competitior before they do. So I can't say that what are they doing is extravagant and unnecessary. You'll be the judge then.