Exclusive-Ukraine's Antonov turns to drones in response to Russian invasion
By Joanna Plucinska, Valerie Insinna and Max Hunder
LONDON/KYIV (Reuters) — Ukraine's Antonov is expanding in drone making, a presentation by the country's umbrella defence group seen by Reuters shows, as it diversifies its core cargo plane business in response to Russia's invasion.
Drones made and adapted in Ukraine play a major part in the war and Antonov's previously unreported move is consistent with Ukraine's aim to be a global drone hub, boosted by investment in a sector that has grown dramatically since early 2022.
Antonov's new drone centre was opened «with the aim of enhancing unmanned systems manufacturing capabilities and providing support to private unmanned systems manufacturers in terms of expertise and services,» the presentation by Ukroboronprom, which oversees Ukraine's defence sector, said.
It was made to officials in Washington, D.C., in June.
Antonov did not respond to requests for comment on the centre and expansion plans in the drone sector. A Ukroboronprom spokesperson declined to comment, citing security concerns.
Drone-making could now support legacy Soviet aerospace firms like Antonov that they have lost a major customer in Russia and suffered extensive damage from Russian attacks.
Under Ukroboronprom, Antonov has designed and built drones in the past, including the Horlytsia model, but cargo planes have long been its primary focus. In a symbolic blow, the An-225 Mriya, at the time the world's largest cargo plane and for which Antonov is best known, was destroyed early on in the war.
While cargo plane manufacturing will continue, the new drone centre could better serve Ukraine's war needs now and give Antonov's engineers more work, a person with knowledge of Antonov's plans told Reuters.
The
Read more on investing.com
