Ukraine shuts down legendary aircraft manufacturer Antonov
World famous airplane maker Antonov is no more. Ukraine’s government has
liquidated the state company, assigning its remaining divisions to a
state-owned strategic conglomerate Ukroboronprom, according to the
Ministry of Economic Development.
“The Government has adopted a resolution on the liquidation of
the State Aircraft Manufacturing Concern Antonov. The manufacturer’s
three divisions were transferred to Ukroboronprom,” the Ministry statement said.
Antonov’s assets were assigned to Ukroboronprom in the spring of 2015, and in July Kyiv replaced the group’s management.
Last year, Kyiv forced Antonov to sever its contract with Russia’s
United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). The decision was likely linked with
Kyiv’s move to include Antonov as part of Ukroboronprom, Ukrainian media
reported.
In October 2010, Antonov and UAC signed a deal to form a
joint company. The firms agreed to cooperate in marketing, sales,
design and production of military, civilian and cargo aircraft as well
as modifying new Antonov airplanes.
Antonov manufactured passenger, cargo and special purpose aircraft.
Established in Novosibirsk in 1946 as a top-secret Soviet aviation
design and research bureau, Antonov was relocated to Kyiv in 1952. Among
the company’s best-known aircraft are the giant An-124 Ruslan and
An-225 Mriya cargo planes. The An-225 is the world’s largest airplane,
built to carry the Soviet Buran shuttle orbiter.