UPDATE 1-Clinton: "reason to hope" Boeing to win Russia bid

* Rosavia plans to buy 65 narrowbody planes

* Soliciting offers from Boeing, Airbus, Russian cos

* Clinton visits Boeing design centre in Moscow

(Adds further details, background)

By Jeff Mason

MOSCOW, Oct 13 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Tuesday aircraft maker Boeing (BA.N) could potentially win a contract from Russian Airlines to supply planes the state-run airline plans to buy in the next few years.

"We have reason to hope," Clinton told reporters, when asked whether she had received any signals from Russian officials that the contract would go to Boeing.

Clinton was speaking at a Boeing design centre in Moscow.

Russian Airlines, known locally as Rosavia, is being created by the state to absorb several carriers crippled last year by the financial crisis and high fuel prices. It will also compete with Russia's flagship carrier, Aeroflot (AFLT.MM). Rosavia said in August it had solicited offers from Boeing and rival aircraft manufacturer Airbus (EAD.PA) for the 65 narrowbody planes it plans to buy over the next few years. [ID:nLJ649955]

Rosavia also planned to ask Russian aerospace companies to submit offers to supply the planes, Sergei Chemezov, who heads state conglomerate Russian Technologies, said at the time.

Russian Technologies owns 51 percent of Rosavia and the Moscow city government has a 49 percent stake. The new airline plans to own 120 aircraft and handle about 120 million passengers annually by 2017. (Writing by Robin Paxton; Editing by Greg Mahlich)