China inks $87.3 million deal to sell planes to Russia

BEIJING: China has signed a $7.3 million deal to sell domestically-made 15 Y-12E series utility aircraft to Russia for transportation and geoglogical exploration.

The Harbin Airraft Industry Group (HAIG), a subsidiary of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China ( AVIC), today said it signed the contract with Fly AVIA FZE, which provides aviation equipment, repairs and after-sales services for the Russian market.

The short-haul Y-12 series turboprop utility aircraft are used mainly for passenger and cargo transport, geological exploration, ocean monitoring and agriculture.

The aircraft will be delivered in 2017 and the contract is worth an estimated total of 550 million yuan ($7.3 million).

It has obtained certification in more than 10 countries including Russia, the United States, France and the United Kingdom, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.