IRKUT Corporation has started delivery of Be-200ChS aircraft to the Russian Ministry of Disaster Relief, which in 2001 signed a contract to take delivery of seven aircraft of that type. The first serial aircraft was supplied to the Ministry of Disaster Relief in June 2003. According to the schedule, the second Be-200ChS will enter service in the end of 2003 and the total order will be fulfilled by the end of 2005.

Up to date Be-200ChS training programme of Ministry's pilots and engineer staff has been completed. A group of 14 pilots and 22 engineers undertook theory and practical training in the city of Taganrog (Russia), the aviation training centre of Beriev Aircraft company.

"The program of development and serial production of Be-200ChS aircraft represents an example of successful implementation of diversified growth strategy of IRKUT Corporation, aimed at creation of powerful vertically-integrated corporation with equal amount of military and civil orders", said Alexey Fedorov, President of IRKUT Corporation. "It's important to note that Be-200 programme is a good example of successful co-operation between aircraft designer and producer as well as state's attention to get a key element to the overall disaster relief system".

On June 25, 2003 Be-200ChS aircraft obtained the Type Certificate from AR IAC, and on July 22, 2003 the aircraft was allowed to operation according to decree of the Russian Ministry of Transport and Rosaviakosmos.

According to the results of aircraft market potential investigation, carried out by IRKUT jointly with European Aerospace and Defence System EADS and Rolls-Royce Deutschland company it was estimated that potential demand for Be-200ChS makes 320 aircraft in 25 countries in the nearest 20 years.

Engineering development of Be-200 version powered with BR715 engines manufactured by Rolls-Royce is completed. Co-operation agreement between EADS, Rolls-Royce and IRKUT on aircraft certification in accordance with JAR and FAR regulations was signed in the end of 2003. This agreement implies co-operation on Be-200 entering the Western market as well as product support using the existing EADS maintenance network.

Besides, in a frame of the state visit of the Russian President Vladimir Putin to Malaysia early August 2003 IRKUT Corporation signed an agreement with DRB-Hicom Defense Technologies (Malaysia) to market Be-200 in the South-East Asia.

The Be-200ChS multifunctional amphibian aircraft was designed by Beriev Aviation company. Aircraft serial production was started mainly due to IRKUT Corporation investment programme, which has invested $265 million.

The aircraft is provided with two turbojet bypass engines D-436TP, manufactured by Motor Sich (Ukraine) with take-off thrust rated 7,650 kg each. The Be-200ChS is designed for fire-fighting, rendering medical assistance in distress areas, search and rescue operations on water, cargo transportation. During one flight Be-200 is able to carry out multiple scooping of up to 12 tons of water on gliding, deliver and drop water on the site of the fire using high-precision navigation and flight control systems. Be-200 can be easily converted into passenger or cargo version due to pressurised fuselage.

The Be-200ChS is equipped with a navigation and communication suite that ensures aircraft navigation and control in any weather conditions day and night. The new ARIA-200 avionics suite is a joint development of US Allied Signal Aerospace and Russia's Institute of aviation equipment and complies with ICAO III category.

IRKUT Corporation is one of the leading companies among Russian military and civil aviation manufacturers. It represents the vertically integrated holding company providing design, manufacturing, selling and product support of military and civil aeronautic engineering.