Boeing and the Antonov Company from Ukraine signed a memorandum of understanding Monday at the Farnborough Airshow to explore potential collaborative projects in the defense sector. The studies center on the potential for Antonov to join the training, logistical support, and overhaul for the ScanEagle, a small surveillance and reconnaissance UAV built by Boeing subsidiary Insitu.
“A strong, innovative, and efficient defense industry is key to sustainable economic development and national security, and we are extremely excited to collaborate with Boeing,” said Antonov CEO Ievhen Gavrylov. “This agreement brings a whole new level of opportunity to implement the latest and most effective solutions, in addition to the possibility of future projects with Boeing in the aerospace and defense industry.”
Antonov is best known for making large airliners and cargo aircraft, including the An-225 Mriya, the world’s largest aircraft until it was destroyed in 2022 during the opening rounds of the current war in Ukraine. Boeing has earlier assisted Antonov by supplying some parts that became unavailable following Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.