Russia just unveiled its new Airbus and Boeing challenger

Irkut

The single-aisle airliner market is getting more and more crowded. Although the Boeing 737MAX and the Airbus A320neo are by far the most dominant offerings in the segment, a host of new competitors have thrown their hats into the ring in the past year.

Now's Russia's United Aircraft Corporation has introduced its new entrant in the segment - the Irkut MC-21. The MC-21 has been teased for several years. On Wednesday, UAC finally unveiled the production variant of the airliner in a ceremony at the plane's Irkutsk factory. The event was attended by such dignitaries as Russian Prime Minister Dimitriy Medvedev.

In addition to the Russians, China's COMAC has rolled out the C919; Brazil's Embraer has introduced the E-Jet E2; Japan's Mitsubishi introduced their new Regional Jet; and Canada's Bombardier C-Series is set to enter service in July.

United Aircraft Corporation was formed 2006 and is aimed to increase the competitiveness of Russia's aviation industry internationally. The company comprises some of the great names in Russian aviation including MIG, Sukhoi, Ilyushin, Yakolev, and Tupolev.

Irkut is a lesser known member of the company, but with the introduction of the MC-21, it's set to make a name for itself on the global stage.