China in Talks to Acquire Russian Ekranoplane Wing-in-Ground Effect Vehicles

China is discussing with the Alekseyev Central Hydrofoil Design Bureau based in Nizhny Novgorod in Russia about purchasing an unknown number of A-050 ekranoplan or ground effect vehicle, the most advanced version of the Lun-class ekranoplan, for the People's Liberation Army according to the state-run China News Service on Oct. 15.

A spokesperson for Alekseyev said the A-050 has a maximum takeoff weight of 54 tons and a loading capacity of nine tons. It can carry up to 100 passengers. With an effective range of 5,000 kilometers, the cruising speed of the A-050 ekranoplan is estimated at between 350 and 450 kilometers an hour. The ekranoplan may be fitted with a R-195 starting engines similar to those used by Su-25 bombers and TV7-117SM boosters on the Il-114.

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