CHINA'S homemade jumbo jet producer today signed letters of intent with suppliers, including Honeywell, for landing-gear system, wheels, tires and brake control system as a step closer to building a globally competitive 150-seat jet.

AVIC Landing-gear Advanced Manufacturing Corp and Germany-based Liebherr Group will jointly research and develop a landing-gear system for the C919 jet, according to a deal they signed with the jet producer Commercial Aircraft Corp of China in Changsha.

Honeywell will collaborate on the C919 pedal-to-ground solution with Hunan Boyun New Materials Co Ltd, Changsha Xinhang Wheel & Brake Co Ltd. A joint venture will be formed to provide wheels, brake control system and tires for the project.

Honeywell now supplies wheels and brakes for more than 70 percent of Chinese airlines' existing Boeing 737 fleet, as well as joins in China's ARJ21-700 jet project.

"We will decide the overall technical scheme, manufacturing scheme and customer service scheme, as well as select suppliers for the aircraft body, engine, system equipment, material and standard parts by the end of this year," said Jin Zhuanglong, general manager of the jet maker.

China is to invest 200 billion yuan (US$29.28 billion) in developing its domestic jumbo jet, with 60 billion yuan to be spent in the next three to five years. All facets of the process - from design to production - will be done in China in a bid to reduce the country's reliance on overseas firms such as Boeing and Airbus. An initial design has been completed and the aircraft is due to make its maiden flight in 2014 and is expected to be delivered to customers by 2016.