Model of the C929 at the COMAC stand at Farnborough 2024. Photo: BBC
China is now working on the long-range wide-body airliner C929 independently, without Russia’s involvement, although it was initially a joint project, as reported by Postimees
At the COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) stand at the Farnborough International Airshow, a model of the aircraft was presented, but Russia’s participation was not mentioned. A COMAC representative confirmed to the media that China is now pursuing the project alone.
Previously, the project was named CR929, where "C" stood for China and "R" for Russia. The letter "R" is now absent from the aircraft’s name. Originally, the aircraft was developed jointly by Russian and Chinese aerospace companies, and it was a significant part of Russia’s transport infrastructure, especially for the Far Eastern regions.
The idea of creating such an aircraft was discussed since the early 2010s. In 2014, during Vladimir Putin’s visit to China, the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) signed a memorandum of cooperation with COMAC, which included the construction of the aircraft. The project was showcased at the MAKS 2019 airshow in Russia and Airshow China in 2018.
In June 2018, UAC and COMAC agreed on the aircraft's key characteristics: wingspan and shape, tail configuration, fuselage length, engine placement, landing gear, and doors.
In July 2024, at the Farnborough Airshow, COMAC presented the aircraft model and its specifications, but without mentioning Russia. A company representative declined to comment on the reasons and timing of Russia’s departure from the project.
At the 2023 Le Bourget Airshow, there was also no information about Russia’s participation in the project. In the summer of 2022, during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov announced a review of the project.
The CR929 project was initiated against the backdrop of sanctions against Russia due to the occupation of Crimea and Sevastopol in 2014. Since 2022, following the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, sanctions have been tightened, and the supply of parts for civil aviation has been effectively blocked.
