AvBuyer.com.cn/en interviews Mr. VLADIMYR F.SHMYROV, Chief Designer, Antonov September 21 2007 at the 12th Aviation Expo / China 2007. The following is the translation of the interview:

AvBuyer.com.cn/en: Can you give us a general introduction of the contents about the cooperation agreements signed by Antonov and Chinese Aviation Industry?

VLADIMYR F.SHMYROV: Antonov and Chinese Aviation Industry are keeping a good long-term partner relationship. The earliest cooperation is An-2 aircraft in 50 years ago, which is called Yun-5 in China.

We have singed an agreement with AVIC II about the Yun-8 Improvement Framework Cooperation. In addition, during August of this year, AVIC II has visited our company, and singed the agreement about entering into Ukraine aviation industry. In future, we are going to have more and more cooperative projects and products. We have cooperated with AVIC II to produce wing, which is very satisfied. Today, we have signed the cooperation agreement on improving of Yun-8.

AvBuyer.com.cn/en: Can you briefly introduce An-148 aircraft's basic characteristics?

VLADIMYR F.SHMYROV: An-148 series aircraft belong to regional aircrafts, and its competitors are China's ARJ aircraft, and Russia's RRJ series aircrafts. An-148 has 75-95 seats, and one of its advantages is high single wing design and high-mounted engine layout. The biggest advantage of An-148 aircraft is its landing gears. The price is also another advantage. It has three different types, which are long-haul, mid-haul, and short-haul. At present, we are focusing on developing mid, and short-haul aircrafts and the military and civil aviation industry are both very interested in these two types, so we hope that An-148 has a bright future. An-148 aircraft is very suitable for operation in China's west area. Please keep an eye on An-148.

The 4-day Aviation Expo / China 2007 kicks off September 19 2007 in Beijing. As the official web partner and online broadcasting partner of the expo, AvBuyer.com.cn/en presents a webcast.