Vladimir Karnozov

Russian President Vladimir Putin used his visit to this week’s MAKS airshow in Moscow to urge Western aerospace firms to expand their partnerships with Russian companies despite continuing economic sanctions against Russia imposed by the European Union, the U.S. and Canada. Commenting after an event on August 25 when Boeing appointed Russian titanium supplier VSMPO-Avisma as a strategic partner for the 777X program, the Russian leader said that he hopes “mutually beneficial international programs with Russian aerospace industry’s participation do not get affected by politics.”

 


Under the terms of the latest agreement between Boeing and VSMPO-Avisma, the Russian company will supply various titanium components for the new 777X’s largely composite wing. First deliveries of the new twinjet are due to be made in 2020, with production starting in 2017.

 


VSMPO-Avisma CEO Mikhail Voevodin told reporters that the company’s partnership with Boeing is now in its third decade. Last year, the U.S. airframer extended its framework agreement to take Russian titanium through 2022.

 


Speaking at the MAKS event, Sergei Kravchenko, Boeing’s president for Russia and the CIS, commented: “I do not have doubts that our joint venture [with VSMPO-Avisma] will be expanding, regardless of the complicated political situation.” The Ural Boeing Manufacturing (UBM) joint venture was established in 2009 and is a 50-50 partnership between Boeing and Russia’s Rostec conglomerate and its subsidiary VSMPO-Avisma. The company already supplies highly machined titanium parts for the 787-8/9 widebody, using U.S.-supplied machinery. Titanium accounts for approximately 20 percent of the 787’s airframe weight and UBM supplies about half of this total. Boeing plans to<a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2015-06-11/after-record-ramp-boeing-fine-tunes-787-production"> increase 787 production rates</a> from 10 per month this year to 12 per month next year.

 


"With the production of next generation commercial jetliners having a larger share of titanium in their airframes, our production volumes will be increasing steadily with an average annual rate of 10 percent," VSMPO-Avisma CEO Mikhail Voevodin told AIN. He explained that Boeing and Airbus take different approaches to sourcing parts from VSMPO-Avisma. While Boeing has invested in a joint venture, its European rival Airbus has chosen to give the company large supply contracts, which in turn provide money for its to expand its presence in the commercial aerospace market.

 


Despite Boeing's joint venture with VSMPO-Avisma, the company had to compete with other titanium suppliers for the 777X partnership. "We are OK with making investments on our own," said Voevodin. "But if our foreign partner chooses to make an investment in Russian plants, it creates a tighter connections to us and mutual dependency increases."

 


Boeing and Russian partners, including the Krunichev Space Center, also announced the extension of their cooperation on the International Space Station program through 2020. President Putin spoke with senior Boeing officials for a prolonged period during the MAKS show.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

With Putin's Blessing, Boeing Boosts Russian Partnership

Boeing has appointed Russian titanium supplier VSMPO-Avisma as a strategic partner for the 777X airliner.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

We talk through the process from conception to delivery

Flying Privately: How Aircraft Like the Bombardier Global 8000 Come to Life

Hanneke Weitering

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

AltiSky will assemble, sell, and service VoltAero's aircraft

VoltAero Picks U.S. Distributor for Cassio Hybrid-electric Aircraft 

Jennifer Leach English

Company noncommittal on expanding its lineup upwards, citing $1B investment cost

Embraer’s Plans for a Larger Bizjet Remain Up in the Air

Kerry Lynch

Operations ebbed, backlogs were steady, and available aircraft increased

GJC: Bizjet Market Continues To Stabilize in 3Q2024

Greenville-based charter operator pre-orders 10 eVTOL air taxis

SAI Flight To Operate SkyDrive eVTOL in South Carolina

Charles Alcock

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

More In Aircraft

Flying Privately: How Aircraft Like the Bombardier Global 8000 Come to Life

We talk through the process from conception to delivery

VoltAero Picks U.S. Distributor for Cassio Hybrid-electric Aircraft

AltiSky will assemble, sell, and service VoltAero's aircraft

Embraer’s Plans for a Larger Bizjet Remain Up in the Air

Company noncommittal on expanding its lineup upwards, citing $1B investment cost

GJC: Bizjet Market Continues To Stabilize in 3Q2024

Operations ebbed, backlogs were steady, and available aircraft increased

SAI Flight To Operate SkyDrive eVTOL in South Carolina

Greenville-based charter operator pre-orders 10 eVTOL air taxis

AMSL Starts Untethered Flight Tests with Vertiia eVTOL Aircraft

Australian start-up is developing a hydrogen-powered aircraft

Deliveries Increase as EHang Works to Boost eVTOL Aircraft Performance

Chinese manufacturing wants to extend range with solid-state batteries

NBAA Expands Roles for Two Senior Executives

Jo Damato and Andrew Broom assume additional responsibilities

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN