After many years of struggle, Ukraine’s aerospace industry appears headed in an upward trajectory, as a promising new civil aircraft program hits the market and some Russian defense market analysts predict Ukrainian military export activity to surpass that of its neighbor over the next decade. Antonov is Ukraine’s leading developer of both military transports and airliners, and currently is offering China joint development and production of the An-70, which the Russian air force has rejected. Ukraine’s prospects also could benefit from the recent collapse of a Russo-Chinese contract to supply the rival Ilyushin Il-76MD and Il-78MK transports.
On the other hand, the planned cooperation with Russia’s new United Aircraft Corp. (UAC) stands to strengthen Antonov’s position in the global market in general and in Southeast Asia in particular. According to Victor Livanov, head of Ilyushin and a member of the UAC board of directors, UAC is determined to pool its efforts with Ukrainian aircraft manufacturers. He said the manufacturer plans to resume series production of the An-124 heavy cargolifter and also hopes to cooperate with the state-run Aviation of Ukraine group to design a 10-metric-ton freighter.
