Russian Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Interior of Russia (MOI) and Rossiya special aircraft division may place an order for about 100 MS-21 aircraft to replace Tu-204 Family jets (Tu-204SM, Tu-214) and Il-62s, Vedomosti reports with reference to a source close to Irkut Corporation.

«Our agencies need 100 new medium-haul aircraft», - he noted. According to him, MS-21 is the new aircraft family which spans from 160 to 210 seats, which should rival Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 Families.

A representative of Irkut Corporation said that the corporation is interested in cooperation with the governmental agencies in the network of this project; however it’s too early to discuss the details. A source close to the Ministry of Defense noted that no orders will be discussed prior to the demonstration of the jet. The order is a long shot.

«The state order for 100 MS-21 aircraft may be placed in future, but it’s too early to discuss the details», - Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Yuri Slusar, noted. «At present we are finalizing the first consolidated state order for 25 Tu-204SM aircraft. But these are stopgap measures – Tu-204 Family and Il-62 aircraft will be replaced by MS-21 jets», - he said. According to him, the demand for MS-21 aircraft may be defined only after three years of successful operation. Yuri Slusar also reminded that MS-21 will enter the market in 2017.