KYIV. July 29 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The quick revival of military transport aviation in Ukraine under the conditions of the new challenges to the defense and territorial integrity of the state is possible by optimizing the existing resources of the aviation industry as part of the creation and international certification of the single state joint-stock company based on Antonov State Enterprise, former head of Ukrainian Avia-Transport Company (UATC) Vitaliy Popov has said.
“The idea is that to bring the single state aircraft building joint-stock company to the global market that would operate under international standards and to raise investment and take orders first from western customers. The company could be created via the merger of all aviation and aircraft repair facilities that were previously transferred to Ukroboronprom on the basis of Antonov State Enterprise,” he said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.
The key issues that would ensure the survival and development of Ukrainian aircraft manufacturing, taking into account the halt of cooperation with Russia, are the inclusion of Ukraine, as represented by Antonov, in western sectoral, technological, industrial cooperation and defense programs.
“Fortunately, there is the interest to this cooperation today. Recently we discussed the issue with the advisor to the defense minister of Canada: the preliminary order for Ukraine and Antonov could be over $400 million. Israeli and U.S. companies also showed their interest in cooperation with Antonov. The possibilities for realizing promising partnership should be provided,” he said.
Popov also expressed his support for renewing the Ukrainian Armed Forces with new aircraft.
“According to Flightglobal Insight’s World Air Forces, in 2014 the number of operating aircraft of Ukrainian combat and transport aviation fell from 400 to 222. Some aircraft were restored: 82 planes, 44 helicopters and 27 drones have been restored since the start of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO). However, the army needs new equipment, and the economic and aircraft industry needs orders,” Popov said.
“It is important to accelerate the realization of promising programs of Antonov Enterprise as a part of international cooperation: first of all this concerns An-178, An0132 and An-188 aircraft that have excellent export prospects,” he said.
