On June 14, 2012, a protocol was signed between Ukraine and Russia, according to which both sides intend to resume serial production of An-124 aircraft by the end of 2012. The signing of this document was the result of a ten-day meeting of the Commission on Ukrainian-Russian Cooperation, which is part of the Interstate Commission.
The plans of the two states were announced by Dmitry Kolesnikov, who is the chairman of the state agency for the management of state corporate rights and property.
It should be noted that the beginning of this summer has already been marked by the presence of certain prospects. So, the Ukrainian aviation industry complex, after long and difficult negotiations with Russian aircraft builders, reached certain agreements. At the same time, more or less clear answers were received to the most urgent questions regarding the An-70 (military transport aircraft), as well as the An-124 (a unique transport aircraft).
Interest in the joint construction of aircraft resumed almost after a whole year of calm. Back in early spring of last year, the United Aircraft Corporation and the State Aircraft Building Concern Antonov signed an agreement on the sale and purchase of 50 percent of the authorized capital of UAC - Civil Aircraft, on the basis of which it was planned to eventually create a joint venture UAC - Antonov. Then the deal was clearly political in nature, since the prime ministers of the two states, N. Azarov and V. Putin, were present at the signing.
At first, the Russian side wanted to acquire 51 percent of the shares of the Ukrainian concern "Antonov", which would make it possible to practically completely dispose of the intellectual property of the Ukrainian side. It is clear that many representatives of Ukraine did not like such an outcome of events, so then the parties did not manage to come to an agreement.
The next attempt was made in May 2011, when a group of KLA leaders headed by M. Poghosyan arrived in the Ukrainian capital. Then, according to unofficial information, a proposal was made to the management of the Ukrainian enterprise to transfer a certain share of the capacity of the Voronezh and Ulyanovsk aircraft building plants under the control of the future joint venture. In return, the Antonov concern was supposed to transfer the power and intellectual property of the design bureau under the control of the joint venture. However, such a proposal was extremely dubious for the Ukrainian side, since the plant is a single whole, and it is not possible to divide and even more transfer certain workshops under the control of another enterprise.
And at the end of May this year, during a visiting meeting of the interstate commission, which was attended by S. Naryshkin (speaker of the State Duma of Russia), V. Lytvin (chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine), as well as representatives of departments and ministries that are directly related to aviation industry, it was decided to jointly produce the An-70 and An-124 Ruslan. Until 2030, it is planned to build 150 models of the first type and about 50 of the second.
According to the head of the United Aircraft Building Corporation M. Poghosyan, who spoke at the meeting, starting from now, and until 2030, it is planned to send about 75 An-124s only for modernization and repairs. Of these, about 40 percent belongs to the Russian military department. In addition, it is planned not only to carry out repairs and modernization, but also to resume production of Ruslan - by 2030, about 45-50 units. He also clarified that the main customers of the aircraft are the Ukrainian and Russian military ministries.
But these are far-reaching plans. As for the more immediate prospects, according to Lieutenant General V. Kachalkin, the commander of the Russian military transport aviation, during 2014-2020 the Russian side should receive 60 military transport An-70s. This year it is planned to complete the research and pilot design. Thus, a new tactical-operational aircraft will be created, which will be designed to perform military tasks. Regarding the An-124, it is predicted to receive 25 units of various modifications of this model by 2020.
At the same time, the Russian military transport aviation will not purchase foreign aircraft, since the samples of joint Ukrainian-Russian production fully meet the requirements of the Russian military.
Such statements carry a lot of weight. Let us remind you that the project regarding the production of An-124 was resumed in 2009. An active role in this process was played by D. Medvedev, who was then the head of state, and who instructed the government to include the purchase of 20 Ruslans in the state armament program. Around the same time, a statement was made that it was planned to resume production of these cargo aircraft, which, by the way, are the largest aircraft of this class. In addition to the military interest, the interests of civilian carriers will also be taken into account, which have declared their desire to acquire about 60 An-124.
After the meeting, Russian experts said that most potential customers expect a clear answer from the Russian military department regarding the An-124. And the decision to resume the joint Ukrainian-Russian production of Ruslans is indeed a principled state position, expressed, moreover, quantitatively. The main condition, which was set by the Russian United Aircraft Corporation, was that a contract with the military should be concluded for a relatively large batch of aircraft, since according to the project data, with an increase in carrying capacity to 150 tons, the profitability of the development of a new modification of Ruslan can be ensured with a minimum order of 40 cars. Thus, if we are talking about 50 An-124, then this is a completely satisfactory figure.
If we talk about the An-70, then here the solution of the issues has come to the final stage. As you know, back in 2006, the implementation of this project was under the threat of termination, since V. Mikhailov, being at that time the commander-in-chief of the Russian Air Force, said that the army did not need such a model of a transport-cargo aircraft, and that it was preferable for her, the use of modernized IL-76. At this point in time, these statements were recognized as erroneous, and the Russian-Ukrainian program for the joint production of An-70 was further developed.
It should also be noted that the Russian side is extremely interested in the development of its military transport aviation. This is evidenced by the statements of D. Rogozin, made by him at the end of spring this year that the production of military transport vehicles will be separated into a separate system, which will be engaged in the production of almost all models of transport aircraft, including the An-70 and An- 124. The only exception will be the Il-96.
Recall that until recently, the United Aircraft Corporation operated four structures for the production of aircraft, depending on the purpose. At the same time, most of the income went to military aviation (80 percent). Civil aviation received about 15 percent, and special and transport aviation accounted for 5 percent of the profits.
The fact that the structure of the UAC did not provide for the structure of military transport aviation is understandable, since over the past year only two Il-76s were commissioned. But after the signing of the protocol, the situation is predicted to change radically. In addition to the Il-76, the An-124 will be produced in Ulyanovsk, and the An-70 in Voronezh.
It should be noted that there are already some progress on both projects. So, in June 2012, it is already planned to consider a certain number of the most pressing issues related to the resumption of joint serial production.
Speaking about the projects in general, it is obvious that the scheme of their implementation is exactly the same as was proposed several years ago. A small part of aircraft for joint projects will be produced in Ukraine, as well as components for modernized aircraft, all main production will be carried out in Russia. Thus, the Ukrainian Motor Sich will produce D-27 engines for the An-70, of which 12 units will be produced starting from 2013. The pace will gradually increase.
In addition, the same plant will also produce the D-18T engines, which are used in the An-124.
Thus, a simple conclusion suggests itself that the most promising joint Ukrainian-Russian projects regarding military transport aviation are more profitable for the Russian Ministry of Defense, since the Ukrainian side requires a very insignificant part of aircraft. But at the same time, there is a real opportunity over time to enter the Asian market and receive significant profits, since the level of purchases of military equipment there is developing much faster.
But so far the project exists only on paper. And he will stay there until the parties can agree on production and financial disagreements. Otherwise, real unification and creation of a joint Ukrainian-Russian aircraft building enterprise will remain only a dream. And no meetings of any commissions will be able to solve the problem.
