The program on manufacturing Russian passenger jet MC-21 is facing the risk of coming under new Western sanctions and preconditions have been created for exerting pressure on the project, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov told the Irkutsk Aviation Plant’s meeting on Sunday. This reported by TASS.

"After new US restrictions on trade with Russian companies, including with Joint Stock Company AeroComposit and Joint Stock Company ODK Aviadvigatel, came into force in September 2018, serious preconditions were created for putting pressure on the MC-21 program," Borisov said.

Washington banned the delivery of composite materials to Russia, which are used for manufacturing the plane’s wings, as well as the sales of titanium parts, machines for laying up dry carbonfibre tape and other equipment, he noted, stressing that: "There are risks that new sanctions may be slapped."

In order to successfully implement the MC-21 program, Russia’s Ministry of Industry and Trade jointly with the Irkut corporation has developed and has been fulfilling a range of measures for replacing foreign-made composite materials and a number of parts with Russian equivalents. "This will make it possible to ensure the MC-21 production’s technological independence from products under sanctions. That’s why the Russian government has provided and will provide support for the MC-21 program," Borisov emphasized.