Antonov state enterprise (Kyiv) plans to start practical cooperation with China on the completion of modernized An-225 Mriya aircraft with a carrying capacity of 250 tons under the Aerospace Industry Corporation of China (AICC), however, the concern emphasizes the timing depends on the Chinese side.
Deputy chief designer of Antonov state enterprise Hennadiy Habruk said the Ukrainian side was interested by the end of the year to start the development of design documentation for the upgraded An-225 aircraft, which would be built in Kyiv for AICC under a separate contract.
He found it difficult to clarify the deadline for signing a contract, as well as the expected timeframe for transferring the upgraded super transport aircraft to the customer, stressing that “everything depends on China’s capabilities”.
He said if financing was provided in full, Ukrainian aircraft builders would need about four or five years to certify the upgraded Mriya aircraft. (Interfax/Business World Magazine)