Likely Star Attraction At 2019 Aero India: Amphibious Russian Aircraft Called Beriev BE-200 

United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), Russia’s state-run manufacturer, will be displaying the Beriev Be-200, an amphibious aircraft, at the Aero India Show 2019 in Bengaluru. The show will be hosted in the city between 20-24 February.

The Hindu Business Line quoted the head of R&D Centre of Beriev Aircraft Company, Sergei Ganin, as saying, “As India is now discussing the need to expand regional connectivity, we believe our Be-200 jet will fit into the new strategy very well as it can take off and land on water, so it does not necessarily need to be based at airports.”

The aircraft can be used both as a passenger plane or a cargo one. Furthermore, the report quoted Ganin as saying,“In India, we are targeting corporate houses that could use the plane either for cargo transportation or for business travel.”

The uses of the aircraft range from search and rescue, maritime patrol, cargo and passenger transportation and firefighting. The aircraft can be additionally fitted with searchlights, sensors, inflatable boat, medical equipment, thermal and optical surveillance systems and can accommodate up to 45 people. The Be-200 can also act as an anti-submarine defence system, Defense World reported.