Ukraine ends aircraft cooperation with Russia

Kiev has forced Ukrainian plane maker Antonov to sever its contract with Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). This decision is likely linked with Kiev’s move to include Antonov as part of Ukroboronprom, a state-owned strategic conglomerate, 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.

In July, the Russian Aviakor plane factory suspended manufacturing of the An-140 civil aircraft due to a shortage of parts from Antonov. The decision came after what UAC says are Antonov’s failures to fulfill its contract obligations.

Established in Novosibirsk in 1946 as a top-secret Soviet design and research bureau, Antonov was relocated to Kiev in 1952.

An Antonov An-225 Mriya [Dream] Cossack cargo jet with the Buran [Snow Storm] reusable space shuttle. © Igor Kostin © RIA Novosti

The Antonov company is best known for its giant An-124 Ruslan and An-225 Mriya cargo planes. The Mriya was built to carry the Soviet Buran shuttle orbiter.