Kalkin stresses commitment to Tu-154 and An-70.

Published: 9/2/1999

Following the recent acquisition of Aviakor by the Sibirsky Alluminy group, Andrey Kalkin, Director General of Aviakor, who took up his position following the resignation, in July, of Lev Khasis (www.concise.org 5th July 1999) has outlined his views of the company's prospects. In an interview with Za Rubezhom, Kalkin, not surprisingly, affirmed his confidence in Aviakor's ability to develop new products, citing the “considerable progress” made in the last two to three months on the development of the An-140 regional aircraft. He conceded, however, that the financial situation at the plant was “unsatisfactory”, acknowledging that: “Revenues are generated mainly through overhaul and maintenance, and also from non-aerospace products. This is definitely insufficient”. According to Kalkin, the company's salvation lies in continued sales of the Tu-154 series, which, he claimed, in the long term, could prove profitable, implying that the current production is currently not profitable. He also said the company was anticipating a contribution from the completion of the An-140. He said that Aviakor intended to complete and, if possible, sell five Tu-154s in 1999 and ten in 2000. Most of these would be financed by Aviakor therefore, according to Kalkin, delaying any positive returns. Kalkin added that the $40m investment, promised by Sibirsky Alluminy, might be used to support both the Tu-154 and An-140 projects in tandem. He confirmed that the certification process for the An-140 was in hand at ANTK Antonov and that certification was expected by end 1999 or early 2000. Kalkin also confirmed that a cooperative agreement on the An-140 was being negotiated with the Khaki aviation plant. According to Kalkin, agreements in principle had already been signed, under which some components will be manufactured in Kharkov and delivered to Aviakor in Samara, and vice versa. Both plants will also assemble the aircraft and a common marketing strategy will be developed. A joint venture might ultimately be created, but Kalkin denied that there was any possibility of a joint managing company. He admitted that much needed to be resolved, however, in order to prevent problems arising from the location of the two manufacturers in two different states. Kalkin also expressed optimism in the development of the An-70, which he described as “the most promising design in world cargo aviation”. However, funding remains a problem. The development of the An-70 is beyond the means of a single company and the Russian Ministry of Defence has been unable to secure sufficient state funding to support it. Kalkin accepted that “private investors are hard to find”, especially since western companies are involved in their own versions of this aircraft type. Germany has expressed interest in financing the project, although a decision is far from being made. Kalkin claimed that Aviakor would lead the production of the An-70 in Russia. Some 169 Russian and 64 Ukrainian companies are involved in the programme. Kiev-based Aviant is the leading Ukrainian plant. It is intended that the engines will be produced by the Ukrainian company, Motor-Sich. The location of the final assembly has yet to be agreed. The inference is that the An-70 will not be prioritised alongside the Tu-154 and the An-140, but Aviakor is clearly reluctant to relinquish its potential as a high profile product.

Article ID: 821