Italian company Avio, leader in aerospace propulsion, and OBORONPROM Corporation, a Russian diversified industrial-investment group in the engineering and high technologies sectors, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding collaboration on foundry and casting capabilities.

The collaboration will consist of two main activities for Avio:

• Manufacture casting parts for the accessory gearbox equipping the PS-90A engine produced by Perm Engine Company (part of United Engine Corporation) and installed on the narrow-body TUPOLEV Tu-204 and Tu-214 aircraft;

• Cooperation in foundry and casting process of 'Reductor-PM' Company (part of Russian Helicopters Company), a Russian company involved in manufacturing aviation transmissions.

Avio is already present in the Russian aeronautical market, being involved in the SaM146 engine, developed by Snecma and NPO Saturn (part of United Engine Corporation) in the PowerJet consortium for Sukhoi Superjet. The Memorandum of Understanding signed by Avio and OBORONPROM Corporation emphasizes the aim of both companies to reinforce technical cooperation towards first class international standards, and is a first step towards other future applications.

"Avio's technical expertise is acknowledged worldwide - said Maurizio Paolo Bianchi, Senior Vice-President for Corporate Business Development in Avio - and is the cornerstone of our mission to act as an international champion. We are very proud to be a selected partner of OBORONPROM Corporation, in our effort to cooperate with the Russian aeronautic market".