Ukroboronprom: Contract for three An-178 aircraft will be signed by year-end

"I can promise today: a contract for three An-178 aircraft will be signed by the end of this year. We managed to hold talks with Ukreximbank and get assurances that this will happen in 2020," Husev said, the Concern’s press service reports.

The Director General of Ukroboronprom also stressed that the Concern is starting the process of transformation. The bill No.3822, crucial for the start of corporatization of its enterprises, has already been registered in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

"New industry associations will be created. In particular, Antonov will become a center of the aerospace holding which will open new opportunities: in terms of manufacture of components, launch of joint projects with well-known companies and attraction of finances which are very much needed today. The current state of [Ukrainian] aviation industry is unacceptable for a modern European country, which is why we are discussing opportunities and prospects today. Antonov is a special enterprise for the country and the world," Husev stressed.

In turn, Serhiy Bychkov, Acting Director General of Antonov State Enterprise, noted that the company does not claim to fill a passenger aircraft niche.

"But our military transport aircraft are second to none," he said.

As reported, the Ukroboronprom concern is currently conducting an in-depth analysis of the processes that led to the fact that the Antonov was left virtually without orders.

On December 3, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky appointed Yuri Husev as Director General of the State Concern Ukroboronprom.

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