The Ilyushin Il-114-300 project in the future can become a basis for setting up a Russian-Indian joint venture, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said at a meeting on aviation development. According to him, a pertinent presentation has already been prepared by the Ilyushin Design Bureau and forwarded to India.

“We believe it is a good aircraft that can be offered up for joint production. At least, we will begin with assembling the aircraft on Indian territory, paving the way for its joint production in India and other countries,” he said.

At the same time, Rogozin stressed that in the beginning the project’s full-scale production should be set up in Russia. He said that upon the president’s instructions the work was being wrapped up and “soon a document will be put forward, containing a synchronized schedule on the purchase of aircraft for our air companies, and the production capacities as well.”

“We won’t encourage air companies to use foreign-made aircraft any more, if this sort of aircraft can be produced in Russia,” Rogozin stated. “This is a tough restriction that we employ in order to protect our domestic market. We are a great aviation power and we should be ashamed of buying foreign aircraft for popular routes.”

He also said that the Ilyushin Il-114-300 aircraft should be of high-quality, “its flying characteristics and image should ensure its high demand domestically and even abroad,” Rogozin added. The production of the plane is scheduled to start in 2019.