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The
Antonov-225 is a cargo plane designed as part of the former
Soviet Union's space programme. The only one completed is still
in use and can carry up to 250 tonnes up to 4,000 km (2,485
miles).
Work to manufacture a second plane was started in 1988 and never
completed, but Antonov has now found a potential investor in the
Aerospace Industry Corporation of China (AICC).
Antonov President Oleksandr Kotsiuba said it could take around
five years to complete the aircraft once a contract between the
two sides is signed.
The two companies signed a cooperation agreement in August under
which Antonov planes could be manufactured jointly in China.
"The second copy of Mriya will be completed here, in Kiev, and
could cost up to $500 million depending on the equipment
installed," Kotsiuba told Reuters.
He said future cooperation with the Chinese company would depend
on the successful completion of the plane.
(Reporting by Pavel Polityuk; editing by Matthias Williams and
Jason Neely)
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