The largest aircraft in the world is currently being rebuilt after suffering damages from Russian forces during the early stages of their invasion of Ukraine. However, the manufacturer says that reconstruction might take longer than expected.
As reported first by Bloomberg, state-owned Antonov Co. announced on Facebook on Monday that design work on a second Antonov An-225 cargo plane, also known as the Mriya ("dream" in Ukrainian) has started. The company stated specifics will only be revealed when Russia's war in Ukraine is over.
(Photo : Alexey Furman/Getty Images)
HOSTOMEL, UKRAINE - APRIL 08: The destroyed Ukrainian Antonov An-225 "Mriya" cargo aircraft, which was the largest plane in the world, among the wreckage of Russian military vehicles at the Hostomel airfield on April 8, 2022 in Hostomel, Ukraine. After more than five weeks of war, Russia appears to have abandoned its goal of encircling the Ukrainian capital. However, Ukraine expects a renewed fight in the east and south.
How Much Will the Rebuilding Cost?
There are still a lot of obstacles to overcome before the massive aircraft can be rebuilt after it was destroyed in February while being repaired at an airfield close to Kyiv. It will cost "at least" €500 million ($500 million) to rebuild the enormous aircraft, which had an 88-meter (290-foot) wingspan.
However, Antonov recognized that this figure could rise further because it was "too early" to discuss precise costs.
Given that Russia's attack on Ukraine has put its economy under a lot of strain and that there are already power supply restrictions because of damages to energy infrastructure, it is unclear how funding for such an operation will be secured.
State-run Ukroboronprom, the parent company of Antonov, initially estimated that repairing the aircraft would take more than five years and cost around $3 billion.
After expert evaluation, Antonov claimed that around 30% of the original plane's parts may be utilized to construct a new aircraft.
Bild had earlier released an interview with Antonov General Director Eugene Gavrilov, who stated that the company plans to sell merchandise like miniatures of the aircraft and photos in Germany's Leipzig/Halle Airport to make more money and entice sponsors.
(Photo : SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images)
A woman takes a picture of destroyed Ukrainian Antonov An-225 "Mriya" cargo aircraft amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, at airport of town of Hostomel, in Kyiv region, on May 5, 2022. - The Antonov An-225 Mriya -- a cargo-lift plane with an 88 metre (290 feet) wingspan that is the largest of any aircraft in operational service -- has been mauled by blasts.
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Symbol of Resistance
December 1988 saw the first flight of the six-engine jet. It was used to ship Covid-19 vaccines throughout the globe amid the pandemic, and when it was destroyed, it became a representation of Ukraine's resistance to Russia's invasion.
It has been used as a rallying cry by politicians such as Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, and it has also been printed on national stamps.
The AN-225 had its maiden flight from the Svyatoshyn production airfield on December 21, 1988. Oleksandr Galunenko was in charge of the crew that flew the plane. The Buran shuttle orbiter and the Energiya carrier rocket were transported through the massive aircraft, according to Interesting Engineering.
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Written by Jace Dela Cruz
