Developers of the Chinese-Russian widebody have received proposals from seven firms to supply the aircraft’s propulsion system.

The submissions were made to the China-Russia Commercial Aircraft Corporation (CRAIC) as according to the 30 May deadline. The bids came from both domestic and foreign suppliers, says Chinese airframer COMAC.

CRAIC issued the request for proposal last December. Last week, Sukhoi Civil Aircraft, the commercial aviation unit for United Aircraft, told FlightGlobal that the developers of the aircraft have increased the engine thrust required for the jet. The requirement is now for 78,000lb-thrust turbofans, up from the previous 75,000lb-thrust specification.

“It has changed because of marketing demand that the aircraft be able to base in several high-altitude aerodromes in China. After the answer to RFP requests from potential engine suppliers is received, this measurement might also be elaborated,” it adds.

CRAIC says it will analyse, clarify and evaluate the proposals received by the end of the year. Rolls-Royce and General Electric are expected to be among the seven which have submitted bids.

United Aircraft and COMAC are developing three variants of the twin-jet. The baseline model will be the CR929-600 with a passenger capacity of 281 seats in a three-class configuration, and a range of 12,000 km.