Russian industrialists are interested in expanding the participation of Belarusian partners, in both ongoing aeronautical construction projects and the joint development of aircraft, the diplomat added.

In Galuzin’s opinion, a greater degree of Belarus’s involvement in these activities “fully responds to the objective of enhancing technological sovereignty and industrial cooperation in the Russia-Belarusia Union.”

Such interaction “will allow us to solve the problem of import substitution from hostile countries and, in the long run, create safe and competitive aircraft in foreign markets,” the official pointed out.

The official noted that the Minsk aeronautical plant manufactures components for the new Russian MS-21 passenger plane, and that the two countries are working on a light aircraft project.

In mid-April, an intergovernmental agreement was signed for the co-production of the 19-seat Osvey twin-engine multipurpose aircraft, Galuzin said

About 90 units are planned to be manufactured by 2030, he added.

In parallel, Moscow and Minsk are exploring the possibility of co-producing nine-seat Baikal aircraft, the deputy minister concluded.

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