The famous Ilyushin Design Bureau is pursuing an ambitious project to build 26 aircrafts by 2010. The deals, worth $1.5bn, have been approved by the board of directors of the OAO Ilyushin Finance Co.
      
      Under the plan, the company is expected to triple its output. Its production amounted to just nine planes since 2003, including two Il-96 for the Cuban Cubana de Aviacion air company, a project sealed within the state programme to support exports.
      
      The Ilyushin Bureau will seek to supply Il-96, An-124, and Tu-204 to Cuba and Aeroflot, one of Russia`s largest air company.
      
      By Alexander Shein