Harbin Aircraft Industry Group (HAIG), a subsidiary of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) has secured a contract to sell 15 Y-12E aircraft to a Russian company, Fly AVIA FZE.

Fly AVIA FZE provides various services, including aviation equipment, repairs and after-sales services in the Russian market.

The deal is valued at $87.3m and the order will be delivered by HAIG in 2017.

The Harbin Y-12 series is a short-haul, high wing twin-engine turboprop utility aircraft, which are mainly used for operations such as passenger and cargo transport, geological exploration, ocean monitoring and agriculture. It is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT6A-27 turboprop engines that each have a power output of 462kW.

"Harbin Y-12 has a maximum and cruise speeds of 328km/h and 250km/h respectively."

Harbin Y-12 has a maximum and cruise speeds of 328km/h and 250km/h respectively. The aircraft weighs 3,000kg while its maximum take-off weight is 5,500kg.

The aircraft received certification in more than ten countries, including Russia, the US, France and the UK reports China’s state-run news agency Xinhua.

In November, China delivered its commercial jetliner ARJ21 to regional carrier Chengdu Airlines. State-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) manufactured ARJ21. The latest delivery was the first of 30 orders placed by Chengdu.

Comac stated that ARJ21 will enter into service after three months of trial operations.

The Chinese company also rolled out its C919 narrow body jet in September. The jetliner is expected to compete with related models from Airbus and Boeing.

Comac stated it already received 517 orders for C919, mostly from domestic firms. The first of the aircraft is scheduled by next year and several ground tests of the C919’s systems, including avionics, flight controls and hydraulics are expected to begin soon.