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Wednesday, 22.08.2007
MAKS 2007: Putin gets millions of dollars worth of contracts, but no ice cream
Zhukovsky. Stringent security precautions accompanied the opening of the Moscow aviation show MAKS 2007. And right on the first day, a number of deals were concluded – including for Sukhoi’s SU fighter jets with Indonesia.
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Tailbacks and long queues surrounded Zhukovsky airport this morning. Strict security measures reflected the attendance of top politicians at the air show’s opening.
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Putin issues challenge to other aviation fairs
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President Vladimir Putin opened the six-day long event. He declared ambitions for MAKS to become the foremost gathering of the global aviation industry – throwing down the gauntlet to rivals such as France’s Le Bourget and Britain’s Farnborough.
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This year MAKS boasts 500 exhibitors from 34 countries displaying their latest developments in aircraft construction, aerospace and rocket technology. 200 flying machines occupy Zhukovsky’s wide spaces, and many of them will take to the skies over the next six days. Exhibitors include producers of both civilian and defence technology.
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Take-off, but no ice-cream for Putin
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Although Putin did not board a long-distance bomber and fly direction North Sea, as he did two years ago, he could not entirely resist a test flight temptation: He contented himself with a virtual take-off in the cockpit of the Sukhoi Superjet simulator – a feat he accomplished as skilfully as his recent shirtless angling in Siberia.
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The only hitch came when touring the fair’s precincts. As Putin’s convoy stopped by an ice-cream van for some welcome relief from the heat, it turned out that no vendor was there to serve him. The hotdog vendor’s eyes opened wide as Putin came over to make enquiries. In the end, Putin’s convoy rolled on – without ice-cream, but presumably air-conditioned.
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Arms agreement signed with Indonesia
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MAKS 2007’s first day brought the first business successes. Russian arms export intermediary Rosoboronexport signed an agreement with the Indonesian government to deliver three SU-27 and three SU-30 fighter jets for some $300m (ˆ220m).
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Indonesia purchased four Russian SU fighter jets three years ago, and aims to ultimately acquire a total of 18-24 of the planes.
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Cooperation in civilian sector
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The first agreements were also concluded in the civilian sector. The Russian state foreign trade bank outlines its collaboration with Sukhoi to support sales of the Superjet 100 passenger plane, in the form of credit and leasing services. Aeroflot is among the potential customers wishing to benefit from such service.
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The newly-created Russian state holding company, United Aviation Corporation, of which Sukhoi is a member, concluded a framework agreement with Ukrainian state-owned “Ukrainian Aviation” on their joint development of passenger and cargo planes. First Russian deputy prime minister Sergei Ivanov and Ukrainian prime minister Viktor Yanukovych were present at signing
(ab/.rufo/Moscow)
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