Airbus Industrie India president Kiran Rao told reporters here that the French multinational was also planning to set up an Airbus training software centre in India.

The Airbus Industrie-HAL venture on making A320 freight version was part of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore further possibilities of cooperation between the two companies.

``We will be supplying the freight carrier to all parts of the world from India,'' Rao said.

Asked about the status of the project, he said, ``It is in study phase. The ideas being worked out. When it is worked out, we will launch it.''

As part of its MoU with the French company, HAL was already manufacturing front cabint doors for Airbus aircraft.

``So far, 600 doors worth $50 million have been supplied by HAL to us,'' Rao said.

Herefused to divulge details on the areas of cooperation being explored by the two companies, saying ``We cannot discus these details without each other's approval.''

Referring to the plans to produce Airbus training software, Rao said the French company, whose turnover was $13.3 billion last year, had shortlisted two Indian companies for the purpose.

``We do not want to say more on this as we are negotiating a big contract. There will be a new dimension to aircraft training software,'' he said, adding at least half a million dollars had been spent on the project so far.

The software project was aimed at equipping all the crew with training manuals of aircraft, he said.

Stating that Airbus aircraft made up 60 per cent of the fleet with the airlines in the country, he said his company was looking to meet the needs for 100-seater aircraft, proposed to be introduced into the state-owned Indian Airlines shortly.

``Indian Airlines will also have to replace A300s bought in 1986 and the 15-16 year-oldBoeings. We are looking these as our future prospects. In addition, our A320/321s can suit the requirement of 100-seater category,'' Rao said.

With Air-India having a relook at its requirements, particulary for short carrier long hauls, Airbus was in a place to fulfil those needs with its A330-200 aircraft, he said.

To a question, Rao said Airbus was not looking at supplying smaller turbo-propeller aircraft to suit the need of feeder airlines as it was not a ``glamourous market.''