Russia: world aircraft industry depends on Russian titanium supplies
Restrictions on importing titanium metal from Russia to Europe will adversely affect the world aircraft building industry, according to Viktor Kladov, Director of International Cooperation and Regional Policy of Rostec, (Russian State corporation) in an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
Kladov explained that Western companies import raw materials and titanium products mainly from the Russian Federation. That is why "when the subject of sanctions was just beginning to circulate," American aviation companies "began feeling nervous."
"In the West they understand that if they block all cooperation with Russia, it will be worse for them, not for us," Kladov said, adding that Russia has not introduced such sanctions.
Kladov indicated that for example, companies like Boeing and Airbus, who according to the Director of Rostec, receive 40% and 60% respectively, of their titanium supplies from Russia.
"We have a joint venture with the American company, Boeing. It is located in the Urals region, in Verkhnyaya Salda, where products are manufactured using absolutely unique technologies. We supply not only titanium blanks, but finished products overseas. The know-how belongs to the Russians," Kladov noted.