Moscow, Jan 20 (IANS/RIA Novosti): Russia's presidential administration is placing a tender for the delivery of three modified Tu-214 passenger jets worth about nine billion rubles ($280 million).
The delivery of the Tu-214SR planes with airborne radio relay capacity, designed specifically for the presidential aircraft fleet, is expected by 2015.
The Kremlin recently took delivery on two Tu-204-300 jets from the aircraft maker based in Ulyanovsk.
The Tu-204-300, a long-range version of the Tu-204, is powered by PS-90A engines and has been fitted with modern communications systems and a noise-protected VIP interior featuring shower cabins, leather sofas and wide-screen TV sets.
According to official data, the Russian government fleet consists of at least 36 planes, including four Il-96-300, six An-148, six Tu-214 and a Dassault Falcon 7X.