Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is expecting to restore the state defense order for Kyiv-based Antonov state-run enterprise as part of the company's integration into Ukroboronprom state concern.
"It's not only possible but is also a priority task for leaders – of both [Antonov] enterprise and Ukroboronprom. [I] would like to see Antonov's products in the state defense order for 2016," the president's press service quoted Poroshenko as saying after he visited Antonov on Saturday, before the company's participation in the Le Bourget-2015 international air show.
He said that the priority must be the execution of orders on creating prospective transport and specialized planes, drones, and the development of new aviation technology.
Poroshenko expressed his opinion that merging Antonov with Ukroboronprom would facilitate the development of Ukrainian aircraft construction.
"Only a few countries of the world have such a potential and technologies, as Ukraine has in Antonov. I hope very much that the latest decision of the government, when Antonov's plane building potential merges with Ukroboronprom's possibilities, will prove its synergism," he said.
According to Poroshenko, the main aspect is "to combine the experience of engineering genius and fantastic mechanical engineering traditions with the modern management tradition."
According to the press service of the President, Poroshenko became familiar with the aviation plant’s work and examined some of its products, in addition to testing a flight simulator.
Since April, Antonov has been part of Ukroboronprom due to the government's decision.
