Ukraine’s Antonov seeking tire suppliers

Kiev – Ukrainian aircraft manufacturer Antonov has severed ties with all Russian suppliers, and is now in the process of finding replacement suppliers from Europe, Canada, the US and China.

In a report on 11 Sept, Russia Today (RT), said Anotonove had specifically struggled to complete its giant AN-225 Mriya series due to lack of suppliers.

For instance, said RT, AN-225 Mriya uses Russian-made tires, “for which Antonov has yet to find a replacement.”

Anotonov has not responded to ERJ enquiries regarding the current sourcing of tires and rubber parts.

The Ukrainian company, however, has in a press release confirmed that it has signed a cooperation agreement with Aerospace Industry Corporation of China (AICC) to complete the AN−225 programme.

The first stage of the cooperation will involve the completion of the second modernised AN−225 Mriya and its delivery to AICC.

The second stage will involve the joint production of AN−225 in China under licence of Antonov.