Aerospace

Ukraine has a long and unique history in the field of aerospace technology going back to the early decades of the ‘space race’ in the 20th century. During that time, many of the leading Soviet design and production facilities were located in Ukraine – where they continue to remain active to the present day.

As a result,  Ukraine is one of the few nations with a developed aerospace industry, involving a full cycle of design, production and operation of advanced civil, military and cargo aircraft, as well as supplying space technology.

Ukraine is home to several of the world’s leading aerospace design and production facilities which trace their roots to the early pioneering days of rocket science and aviation technology. The Antonov design bureau is the leading example and is best known for designing and building the world’s largest transport plane, the AN-225 “Mriya” cargo lifter.

Ukraine’s other valuable aerospace centers of influence include the Pivdenne Design Bureau and Pivdenmash engine production center in the city of Dnipro, the Ivchenko-Progress aero-engine design bureau and the Motor Sich engine production center in Zaporizhia.

Together, these entities and several smaller manufacturers combine to produce some of the most advanced aircraft, satellites and rocket engines in the world.

However, Ukraine’s production of aircraft on a large-scale basis has never been realized, in part, because of the fragmentation of the supply chain that occurred following the collapse of the Soviet Union. The Government is now devoting significant attention to redress this condition and is expanding opportunities for public-private investment in this sector.

Ukraine is also becoming known for its niche market in the production of unique ultra-light planes, hang-gliders and paragliders of all designs and models. The Aeroprakt models, in particular, have become very well-known and have attracted buyers in the United States, Australia, New Zealand and in many European countries.