Bangalore: An aircraft consortium led by Russia's Sukhoi Design Bureau and America's Boeing Corporation has asked India to join their project to build a family of regional jet transport aircraft for the civilian market.

The Seattle-based Boeing and Sukhoi Design Bureau will produce the air frame and the engine will be jointly built by European aero engine manufacturer Snecma and Russia's Lyulka Saturn for the family of 60, 75 and 95 seater aircraft with the first aeroplane expected to take off by 2007-08.

"They (consortium) are very keen that we (India) become a risk sharing partner," Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd Chairman N R Mohanty told reporters on the sidelines SCALE 2004, conference on supply chain and logistics management today (June 17, 2004).

He said the Russian Government has committed to buy about 60 civil aircraft and the manufacturers will also explore the global market for these airplanes, which both Boeing and Russians presently do not produce.

The consortium would compete with the Brazil's Embraer firm, in which Snecma has an equity stake.

Mohanty said India has not finalised plans to join the consortium, but added HAL could provide crucial parts of engines and aircraft structure for the venture.

"It is a good opportunity to go global. If we become part in this type of consortium, our image goes up, capability and infrastructure increases," he said.

Mohanty said the profit would be shared between companies based on the size of investment they make.