Antonov

File:Flugzeug Antonov An-2 D-FKMC.jpg, mass-produced Soviet utility aeroplane.]]

File:Antonov A-15 1999 by Jiri Havlice.jpg in Czech markings]]

The company was established in 1946 at the Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Association as the top-secret Soviet Research and Design Bureau No. 153 (OKB-153). It was headed by Oleg Antonov and specialised in turboprop military transport aircraft. The task was to create an agricultural aircraft CX-1 (An-2), the first flight of which occurred on 31 August 1947. The An-2 biplane was a major achievement of this period, with hundreds of these aircraft still operating as of 2013. In addition to this biplane and its modifications, a small series of gliders A-9 and A-10 were created and built in the pilot production in Novosibirsk. In 1952, the Bureau was relocated to Kyiv, a city with a rich aviation history and an aircraft-manufacturing infrastructure restored after the destruction caused by World War II.

File:An-12 in flight.jpg, Cold War-era tactical transport, in flight]]

File:001 An-12, Malmo Airport, Sweden.jpg still in operational condition in 2011]]

The 1957 introduction of the An-10/An-12 family of mid-range turboprop aeroplanes began the successful production of thousands of these aircraft. Their use for both heavy combat and civilian purposes around the globe continues to the present; the An-10/An-12 were used most notably in the Vietnam War, the Soviet–Afghan War and the Chernobyl disaster relief megaoperation.

In 1959, the bureau began construction of the separate Flight Testing and Improvement Base in suburban Hostomel (now the Antonov Airport).

In 1965, the Antonov An-22 heavy military transport entered serial production to supplement the An-12 in major military and humanitarian airlifts by the Soviet Union. The model became the first Soviet wide-body aircraft, and it remains the world's largest turboprop-powered aircraft. Antonov designed and presented a nuclear-powered version of the An-22. It was never flight tested.

In 1966, after the major expansion in the Sviatoshyn neighbourhood of the city, the company was renamed to another disguise name: "Kiev Mechanical Plant". Two independent aircraft production and repair facilities, under engineering supervision of the Antonov Bureau, also appeared in Kiev during this period.

File:Tatarstan Airlines Antonov An-24 Pichugin-1.jpg, the Soviet Union's most common regional airliner]]

In the 1970s and early 1980s, the company established itself as the Soviet Union's main designer of military transport aircraft with dozens of new modifications in development and production. After Oleg Antonov's death in 1984, the company was officially renamed as the Research and Design Bureau named after O.K. Antonov ({{langx|ru|link=no|Опытно-конструкторское бюро имени О.К. Антонова}}) while continuing the use of "Kiev Mechanical Plant" alias for some purposes.

File:An-225 front day V1.jpg which was previously the largest operative aircraft in the world was recently destroyed in 2022.]]

In the late 1980s, the Antonov Bureau achieved global prominence after the introduction of its extra large aeroplanes. The An-124 "Ruslan" (1982) became the Soviet Union's mass-produced strategic airlifter under the leadership of Chief Designer Viktor Tolmachev.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}} The Bureau enlarged the "Ruslan" design even more for the Soviet spaceplane programme logistics, creating the An-225 "Mriya" in 1985. "Mriya" was the world's largest and heaviest aeroplane.{{Cite news |last= |date=2023-03-10 |title=Ukraine detains officials over destruction of famous plane at start of war |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-detains-officials-over-destruction-famous-plane-start-war-2023-03-10/ |access-date=2023-05-09}}

The end of the Cold War and perestroika allowed the Antonov company's first step to commercialisation and foreign expansion. In 1989, the Antonov Airlines subsidiary was created for its own aircraft maintenance and cargo projects.

{{Expand section|date=April 2013}}

Antonov Design Bureau remained a state-owned company after Ukraine achieved its independence in 1991 and is since regarded as a strategic national asset.

Since independence, Antonov has certified and marketed both Soviet-era and newly developed models for sale in new markets outside of the former soviet sphere of influence. New models introduced to serial production and delivered to customers include the Antonov An-140, Antonov An-148 and Antonov An-158 regional airliners.

Among several modernisation projects, Antonov received orders for upgrading "hundreds" of its An-2 utility planes still in operation in Azerbaijan, Cuba and Russia to the An-2-100 upgrade version.{{cite news | url=http://korrespondent.net/business/companies/1579862-rossiya-zakazala-u-antonova-usovershenstvovannye-kukuruzniki | script-title=ru:Россия заказала у Антонова усовершенствованные кукурузники | work=Korrespondent | date=11 July 2013 | access-date=4 September 2013 | language=ru | archive-date=14 August 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130814112252/http://korrespondent.net/business/companies/1579862-rossiya-zakazala-u-antonova-usovershenstvovannye-kukuruzniki | url-status=live }}

In 2014, following the annexation of the Crimea by Russia, Ukraine cancelled contracts with Russia, leading to a significant income reduction in Ukraine's defense and aviation industries.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/09/ukraine-needs-russia-nicolai-petro |title=Why Ukraine needs Russia more than ever |author=Nicolai Petro |newspaper=The Guardian |date=9 March 2016 |access-date=7 September 2016 |archive-date=21 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921131939/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/09/ukraine-needs-russia-nicolai-petro |url-status=live }} However Ukraine has been slowly recovering the deficit from breaking ties with Russia by entering new markets such as the Persian Gulf region{{Cite web|url=https://www.arabianaerospace.aero/new-saudi-ukrainian-aircraft-programme-launched.html|title=Arabian Aerospace – New Saudi-Ukrainian aircraft programme launched|website=www.arabianaerospace.aero|access-date=29 September 2018|archive-date=30 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930040655/https://www.arabianaerospace.aero/new-saudi-ukrainian-aircraft-programme-launched.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.defenseworld.net/news/20458/Ukraine_Discusses_Cooperation_With_UAE_in_Guided_Weapons__UAVs|title=Ukraine Discusses Cooperation With UAE in Guided Weapons, UAVs|website=www.defenseworld.net|access-date=8 January 2021|archive-date=30 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930081147/http://www.defenseworld.net/news/20458/Ukraine_Discusses_Cooperation_With_UAE_in_Guided_Weapons__UAVs|url-status=live}} and expanding its presence in old ones such as India.{{Cite web|url=https://www.unian.info/economics/10084925-ukraine-u-s-winning-indian-defense-market-over-russia-official.html|title=Ukraine, U.S. winning Indian defense market over Russia – official|website=www.unian.info|access-date=8 January 2021|archive-date=8 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108234201/https://www.unian.info/economics/10084925-ukraine-u-s-winning-indian-defense-market-over-russia-official.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news|title=Janes | Latest defence and security news|website=Janes.com|access-date=8 January 2021|archive-date=12 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912223916/https://www.janes.com/defence-news/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.defenseworld.net/interview/106/Ukraine_to_Pitch_for_Repair__Components_Supply_of_USSR_Origin_Aircraft_in_India|title=Ukraine to Pitch for Repair, Components Supply of USSR Origin Aircraft in India |website= defenseworld.net|access-date=8 January 2021|archive-date=24 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024060136/https://www.defenseworld.net/interview/106/Ukraine_to_Pitch_for_Repair__Components_Supply_of_USSR_Origin_Aircraft_in_India|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/ukraine-preparing-for-boosting-defense-cooperation-with-africa-in-aircraft-repair-area.html|title=Ukraine preparing for boosting defense cooperation with Africa in aircraft repair area | KyivPost – Ukraine's Global Voice|date=25 September 2018|website=KyivPost|access-date=29 September 2018|archive-date=8 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108234200/https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/ukraine-preparing-for-boosting-defense-cooperation-with-africa-in-aircraft-repair-area.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2018/07/27/turkey-ukraine-advance-an-188-co-production-talks/|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20220414030258/https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2018/07/27/turkey%2Dukraine%2Dadvance%2Dan%2D188%2Dco%2Dproduction%2Dtalks/|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 April 2022|title=Turkey, Ukraine advance An-188 co-production talks|first=Burak Ege|last=Bekdil|date=27 July 2018|website=Defense News|access-date=29 September 2018}}

In July 2018, Antonov was able to secure a deal with Boeing to procure airplane parts which were no longer available due to breakdown of relations with Russia.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-boeing-antonov-idUSKBN1KH0OM|title=Ukraine plane maker turns West with Boeing tie-up|first=Pavel|last=Polityuk|newspaper=Reuters |date=27 July 2018|via=www.reuters.com|access-date=8 January 2021|archive-date=13 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213124128/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-boeing-antonov-idUSKBN1KH0OM|url-status=live}}

During the Soviet period, not all Antonov-designed aircraft were manufactured by the company itself. This was a result of Soviet industrial strategy that split military production between different regions of the Soviet Union to minimise potential war loss risks. As a result, Antonov aeroplanes were often assembled by the specialist contract manufacturers.

In 2009, the once-independent "Aviant" aeroplane-assembling plant in Kyiv became part of Antonov, facilitating a full serial manufacturing cycle of the company. However, the old tradition of co-manufacturing with contractors is continued, both with Soviet-time partners and with new licensees like Iran's Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company.{{cite web|url=http://www.antonov.com/about/antonov-history?lang=en|title=ANTONOV history|website=www.antonov.com|access-date=29 June 2017|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://timetravel.mementoweb.org/memento/2011/http://www.antonov.com/about/antonov-history?lang=en|archive-date=27 February 2018}}

In 2014, Antonov produced and delivered only two An-158 airplanes.{{cite web|url=http://www.aex.ru/news/2015/1/26/129591/|script-title=ru:ГП "Антонов" подвел итоги 2014 года: Только два новых самолета|access-date=29 June 2017|archive-date=28 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728205822/https://www.aex.ru/news/2015/1/26/129591/|url-status=live|language=ru}} This trend continued into 2015, producing one An-148 and one An-158.{{cite web|url=http://radio.vesti-ukr.com/interview/32217-andrej-haustov-poyavilsya-shans-chto-vtoraya-mriya-obretet-svoyu-zhizn-v-nebe-.html|script-title=ru:Андрей Хаустов: "Появился шанс, что вторая "Мрия" обретет свою жизнь в небе"|access-date=29 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160912160747/http://radio.vesti-ukr.com/interview/32217-andrej-haustov-poyavilsya-shans-chto-vtoraya-mriya-obretet-svoyu-zhizn-v-nebe-.html|archive-date=12 September 2016|url-status=dead|language=ru}} Since 2016, no aircraft have been produced or delivered to clients.[https://cfts.org.ua/news/2020/04/22/zelenskiy_khochet_sozdat_gosaviakompaniyu_letayuschuyu_na_ukrainskikh_samoletakh_58415 Зеленский хочет создать госавиакомпанию, летающую на украинских самолетах — Центр транспортных стратегий]

File:Antonov An-132D roll out ceremony (3).jpg roll out ceremony in Kyiv, 20 December 2016]]

In June 2016, Ukraine's major state-owned arms manufacturer Ukroboronprom announced the creation of the Ukrainian Aircraft Corporation within its structure, thereby combining all aircraft manufacturing enterprises, including the assets of Antonov into a single cluster, according to Ukroboronprom's press service.{{cite web|url=http://uatoday.tv/society/ukrainian-aircraft-corporation-set-up-on-the-basis-of-antonov-670283.html|title=UNIAN News. Latest news of Ukraine and world|website=uatoday.tv|access-date=29 June 2017|archive-date=18 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118043424/http://uatoday.tv/society/ukrainian-aircraft-corporation-set-up-on-the-basis-of-antonov-670283.html|url-status=live}}

On 19 July 2017, the Ukrainian government approved the liquidation of Antonov's assets.{{Cite news|url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-economy/2273062-cabinet-of-ministers-liquidates-concern-antonov.html|title=Cabinet of Ministers liquidates Concern Antonov – 25.07.2017 17:39 — Ukrinform News|access-date=2017-07-27|language=en|archive-date=15 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815062317/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-economy/2273062-cabinet-of-ministers-liquidates-concern-antonov.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-economy/2273062-cabinet-of-ministers-liquidates-concern-antonov.html |title=The Cabinet of Ministers has decided to liquidate State Aircraft Manufacturing Concern Antonov |newspaper=Ukrinform |date=26 July 2017 |access-date=26 July 2017 |archive-date=15 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815062317/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-economy/2273062-cabinet-of-ministers-liquidates-concern-antonov.html |url-status=live }} The State Concern "Antonov" (a business group, created in 2005 from the merger of several legally independent companies into a single economic entity under unified management) will be liquidated as a residual corporate entity. Antonov State Company, Kharkiv State Aviation Manufacturing Enterprise and Plant No.410 of Civil Aviation were transferred under the management of another state-owned concern Ukroboronprom in 2015. Antonov State Company continues to function as an enterprise.{{cite web|url=http://www.antonov.com/news/520|title=Following the recent announcement from the Government of Ukraine|website=antonov.com|publisher=Antonov State Company|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://timetravel.mementoweb.org/memento/2011/http://www.antonov.com/news/520|archive-date=27 February 2018}}

On 31 March 2017, the first prototype of a new multifunctional cargo plane An-132 – a demonstration plane An-132D – took to the air from the runway of Sviatoshyn airfield. The An-132 development program had been implemented in the framework of a contract with a customer from Saudi Arabia.

On 24 February 2022, at the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion in Ukraine, the first attacks were launched at Kyiv-Antonov-2 airfield, the site of Antonov's test flights and home base of the planes of Antonov Airlines. The planes Аn-225 Mriya,{{cite news |date= 27 February 2022 |script-title= uk:У результаті російської атаки згорів найбільший в світі літак «Мрія» |trans-title= As a result of the Russian attack, the world's largest aircraft "Mriya" burned down |work= Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |url= https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/news-v-rezultati-rosiyskoyi-ataky-z-horiv-naybilshyy-v-sviti-litak-mriya-/31726400.html |language= en |access-date= 28 February 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220228004841/https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/news-v-rezultati-rosiyskoyi-ataky-z-horiv-naybilshyy-v-sviti-litak-mriya-/31726400.html |archive-date= 28 February 2022 |url-status= live |script-quote= uk:У результаті повітряної атаки російських військ на аеропорт Гостомель під Києвом був спалений один із найбільших та найпотужніших літаків у світі українського виробництва АН-225 «Мрія». Про це Радіо Свобода повідомили два поінформованих джерела на підприємстві «Антонов» та підтвердив міський голова міста Буча.|trans-quote= As a result of an air attack by Russian troops on Gostomel Airport near Kyiv, one of the largest and most powerful Ukrainian-made AN-225 "Mriya " aircraft in the world was burned. This was reported to Radio Svoboda by two informed sources at the Antonov enterprise and confirmed by the mayor of Bucha. |df= dmy-all}} An-26, An-74 and administrative premises were destroyed. The planes Аn-12, Аn-22, Аn-28, Аn-132D and Аn-124-100-150, the hangars and other infrastructure were severely damaged.

The Security Service of Ukraine established that the former director general of Antonov Company Serhiy Bychkov had not provided access to the site for the National Guard in January and February 2022 and thus obstructed preparations for defence.{{Cite web |script-title=uk:Служба безпеки України |url=https://t.me/SBUkr/7424 |access-date=2023-05-18 |website=Telegram|language=uk}}

The investigators consider that Bychkov's negligence is the direct cause of the loss of Mriya, because the plane could have been sent to Germany long before February 24. In March 2023, Serhiy Bychkov was arrested, in April he faced formal suspicion in connection with the loss of An-225 Mriya and damages to Antonov amounting to ₴8.4 million.{{Cite web |script-title=uk:Офіс Генерального прокурора |url=https://t.me/pgo_gov_ua/10254 |access-date=2023-05-18 |website=Telegram|language=uk}}{{Cite web |script-title=uk:СБУ повідомила про підозру екскерівникам ДП "Антонов", чиї дії призвели до знищення "Мрії" (відео) |trans-title=SBU reported suspicions to former managers of Antonov State Enterprise, whose actions led to the destruction of "Mriya" (video)|url=https://ssu.gov.ua/novyny/sbu-povidomyla-pro-pidozru-ekskerivnykam-dp-antonov-chyi-dii-pryzvely-do-znyshchennia-mrii-video |access-date=2023-05-18 |website=Security Service of Ukraine |language=uk}}{{Cite web |title=Destruction of Mriya aircraft: Ukraine's Security Service arrests ex-CEO of Antonov State Enterprise and serves him with notice of suspicion |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/03/10/7392793/ |access-date=2023-05-18 |website=Ukrainska Pravda |language=en}}

• Antonov Serial Production Plant (formerly Kyiv Aviation Factory "Aviant") – Kyiv
• Kharkiv Aviation Factory – Kharkiv
• Civil Aviation Factory 441 – Kyiv

• Sviatoshyn Airfield, Aviant factory in Kyiv
• Hostomel Airport, freight airport in Hostomel

File:Moscow_LT-10_0130_20030512.jpg

File:Kyiv-12.jpg

Fields of commercial activity of Antonov ASTC include:

• Aircraft design and manufacturing
• Cargo air transport (Antonov Airlines)
• Aircraft maintenance, testing, certification and upgrading
• Aerospace-related research and engineering
• "Aerial Launch": a joint Russian-Ukrainian project of midair spacecraft space launch from aboard a modified version of the An-225.{{cite news|url=http://www.interfax.ru/russia/txt.asp?id=303221|script-title=ru:Правительство задумалось о "Воздушном старте" |date=23 April 2013 |work=Interfax |access-date=29 April 2013 |language=ru |archive-date=28 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130428112540/http://interfax.ru/russia/txt.asp?id=303221 |url-status=live}}
• Operation of the Hostomel airport (Antonov Airport)
• Medium-capacity rail transport system RADAN
• Construction of LT-10A trams (with aluminium body)
• Construction and manufacturing of Kiev-12 trolley buses (a spin-off, using existing technical expertise).{{cite web |url= http://www.antonov.com/products/groundtransport/index.xml |title=Antonov Ground Transport |access-date=10 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111220022857/http://www.antonov.com/products/groundtransport/index.xml |archive-date= 20 December 2011}}

{{Expand section|date=April 2013}}

• Tashkent Aviation Production Association (formerly Tashkent State Aviation Plant) – Tashkent, Uzbekistan
• Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA) – Shahin Shahr, Iran
• Voronezh Aircraft Production Association (VASO) – Voronezh, Russia

• Oleg Antonov: 1946–1984
• Petro Balabuiev: 1984–2005
• Dmytro Kiva: 2005–2024

Antonov's primary activity has generally been in developing large military transport aircraft, including the world's largest airplanes, chiefly for the Russian Federation and its predecessor nations.Guttman, Robert: [https://www.historynet.com/antonovs-heavy-hauler-hire/ "Antonov’s Heavy Hauler for Hire,"] July 27, 2018, HistoryNet, retrieved February 24, 2022Borys, Christian: [https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20170503-the-worlds-biggest-plane-may-have-a-new-mission "The world’s biggest plane may have a new mission,"] May 4, 2017, BBC Future, retrieved February 24, 2022

Additionally, Antonov has produced airliners. It has also produced numerous variants of both transports and airliners, for operations ranging from air freight hauling to military reconnaissance, command and control operations.

It has also developed various general aviation light aircraft, having originated as a producer of gliders.

Antonov's aeroplanes (design office prefix An) range from the rugged An-2 biplane through the An-28 reconnaissance aircraft to the massive An-124 Ruslan and An-225 Mriya strategic airlifters (the latter being the world's heaviest aircraft and was the only one in service).

Sometimes defunct and sometimes normal, the An-24, An-26, An-30 and An-32 family of twin turboprop, high-winged, passenger-cargo-troop transport aircraft are important for domestic/short-haul air services particularly in parts of the world once led by communist governments. The An-72/An-74 series of small jetliners is slowly replacing that fleet, and a larger An-70 freighter is under certification.

The Antonov An-148 is a new regional airliner of twin-turbofan configuration. Over 150 aircraft have been ordered since 2007. A stretched version is in development, the An-158 (from 60–70 to 90–100 passengers).

{{Portal|Ukraine|Companies|Aviation}}

• List of military aircraft of the Soviet Union and the CIS

{{Clear}}

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• MacFarquhar, Neil. "[https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/12/world/aviation-giant-is-nearly-grounded-in-ukraine.html?emc=edit_th_20141012&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=50414572&_r=0 Aviation Giant Is Nearly Grounded in Ukraine]." The New York Times. 12 October 2014. Corrected on 12 October 2014.

{{Commons category|Antonov}}

• {{Official website}}
• [https://www.antonov.com/en/history Antonov company history]

{{Antonov aircraft}}

Category:Defence companies of Ukraine

Category:Manufacturing companies based in Kyiv

Category:Aircraft manufacturers of the Soviet Union

Category:Aircraft manufacturers of Ukraine

Category:Ukrainian brands

Category:1946 establishments in Ukraine

Category:Technology companies established in 1946

Category:Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1946

Category:Ukrainian companies established in 1946

Category:Bus manufacturers of Ukraine

Category:Design bureaus

Category:Aerospace companies of Europe