Ukraine hopes Chinese investment will revive production of world’s biggest plane

KIEV, Ukraine – Kiev wants to attract $500 million of investment from China to complete an updated version of the world’s biggest aircraft AN-225 Mriya, the president of manufacturer Antonov said.

KIEV, Ukraine – Kiev wants to attract $500 million of investment from China to complete an updated version of the world’s biggest aircraft AN-225 Mriya, the president of manufacturer Antonov said.

The cargo plane was developed in the former Soviet Union in the 1980s and was initially designed as a carrier for the Soviet Buran space shuttle. The only aircraft completed is still in use. With a capacity of 250 tons the plane weighs 640 tons on takeoff.


Work on building a second plane started in 1988 but has never been completed.

Antonovโ€™s deputy head said that Ukraine had been considering starting joint manufacturing with China and was planning to invite Chinese investors to the project.

On August 30, Antonov and Chinaโ€™s Aerospace Industry Corporation signed a cooperation agreement which will pave the way for serial production of the AN-225 in China.



Antonov President Oleksandr Kotsiuba said it could take about five years to complete the aircraft once a contract between the two sides is signed.

“The second Mriya will be completed here, in Kiev, and could cost up to $500 million depending on the equipment installed,” said Kotsiuba, adding future cooperation with the Chinese company would depend on the successful completion of the plane.

The only existing AN-225 aircraft first flew in 1988 and is operated by Antonov Airlines, a division of the Antonov company.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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