Ukrainian “Antonov” is looking for $700 million – there are many projects, but no money at all
The state-owned Antonov enterprise needs more than $700 million to expand aircraft production.
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As reported by the Ukrainian publication LIGA.net, this issue was raised by the company's management at a meeting on aviation industry issues, which was chaired by Prime Minister Vladimir Groysman.
Thus, over the past five years, the company has produced and sold only 16 aircraft: six An-32, four An-148, and six An-158. Today the company needs government help to expand production.
“In the last 10 years, not a single aircraft has been built profitably. We have the appearance of a new aircraft without Russian components and there are markets for it. We know how to cost-effectively produce this aircraft. But not a single buyer will buy an aircraft if their own state is not interested in it. We need not so much money as help in organizing a leasing company to make these planes fly,” said Mikhail Gvozdev, president of the Ukrainian Aircraft Company (UAK) corporation.
According to him, to set up mass production, Antonov found all the necessary components on the world market to replace Russian ones, but to localize and purchase them, the company needs $77,5 million. In addition, the company needs to update its production capacity. In general, to launch mass production in 2018, Antonov needs $703,2 million.
The company's management expects that if financing is raised, Antonov will be able to produce about a hundred aircraft in 2018-2021: 60 An-148/158, 18 An-178 and 18 An-132.
In addition, the company expects to receive a government order for aircraft for government agencies.
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