Antonov Complex Creates Second Experimental An-148

The first An-148 was completed last October and is designed to meet Western-European JAR-25 and Russian AP-25 standards. A third An-148 will be finished in the near future. Tests and certification requirements will be completed by Q1/2006.Concorde Capital: World demand for the An-148 is estimated at around 500 planes in the next 7-10 years. The successful start-up of the project depends on whether Aeroflot will choose the plane for its regional market. Aeroflot announced plans to acquire about 50 planes of this kind during 2005-2010. The Tupolev-334 and Sukhoi?s Russian Regional Jet are potential competitors to the AN-148. During a recent meeting with Ukraine?s PM Yuliya Tymoshenko, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed interest in supporting the An-148 project. Motor Sich (MSICH-Buy), which posted a slight decrease in revenues last year, due to the unstable political situation in Ukraine during Q4, will benefit if either the An-148 or Tu-334 planes are chosen, as it delivers engines for both.