United Engine Corporation (UEC) of Russia has signed a memorandum with the Chinese  company AECC Commercial Aircraft Engine Co., Ltd. (AECC CAE). The agreement — signed during Aviation Expo China 2017 — establishes the framework for joint development of a gas turbine engine for future long-range wide-body aircraft, such as the proposed Russian/Chinese C929.

China’s Comac and UAC of Russia announced the creation of a joint venture to design and develop the C929 at last year’s Airshow China event.

The engine memorandum covers joint research and competitive analysis, defininition of potential customer requirements, and the engine’s basic technical parameters.

Sergey Chemezov, CEO of Rostec State Corporation, said the project was milestone for the technological independence of the two partner countries. "Our ultimate goal is the creation of our own powerful world-class engine certified in accordance with the highest international standards." 

Denis Manturov, Minister of Trade and Industry of Russian Federation, said that the start of engine testing was scheduled for 2022, leading to certification in 2027.

UEC is already engaged in development of the PD-35 high-thrust civil engine for future wide-body long-haul aircraft. Current PD-35 research and development activities are aimed at minimising technical risk before launching full-scale development.

The PD-35 has been presented as a scaled-up version of the PD-14 engine being offered as a Russian alternative to the Pratt & Whitney PW1000G on the Irkut MC-21 single-aisle airliner. The PD-14 enjoys the distinction of being the first new civil turbofan engine to be built in Russia since the Soviet era.

AECC CAE is part of Aero Engine Corporation of China, which was created in 2016.