Russia’s Changing Aircraft Industry: Models and Futures

Emerging clusters, 2005(click to view full) Russia’s aircraft industry remains one of the country’s defense export standbys, and Russian companies are beginning to partner with foreign firms in ways that could increase their reach. In December 2005, Moscow Defense Brief took a look at key trends, especially the consolidation trends as private maneuverings and state ‘encouragement’ to join a “Unified Aircraft-Building Corporation” (UABC) began to consolidate the various players. At the time, names like Mikoyan, Sukhoi, Antonov, Ilyushin, Yakolev et. al. appeared to be coalescing around Irkut Corporation, with a second smaller pole around Sukhoi. Recent events are shifting away a French “sesquipolar” model, and toward a unipolar model. The question is whether this will result in success and profitability for a Russian defense industry that is struggling to regain its footing. Recent announcements at the MAKS 2009 indicate that more financial aid is on the way, but the powers that be are less than happy… * Makienko’s 2005 Analysis * Key Events & Developments * Additional Readings Makienko’s 2005 Analysis SU-34 Fullback(click to view full) Konstantin Makienko, December 2005: “It is now clearly evident that the Russian government has decided in favor of creating a ‘Unified Aircraft-Building Corporation’ (UABC), […]