History

Ulan-Ude Aviation plant was founded in 1939. In the first years the factory carried out aircraft repair, as well as manufactured fuselages and airplane tail units.

For instance, the enterprise repaired I-16 fighters and SB high-speed bomber, and in the beginning of 1941 the factory beside the repair works started producing fuselages and tail units for Pe-2 airplane, which later became the main bomber of World War II.

The new stage in the factory’s history started with independent production of La-5 and La-7 fighter airplanes, designed at Lavochkin design bureau. These airplanes were manufactured at Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant during World War II and were the main strike force of the USSR fighter aviation.

After the war the production of La-9 and La-9UTI was mastered.

After the Russian aviation switched over to using jet engines, the piston-type Lavochkin fighters gave place to MiG-15UTI training fighter jets. The airplanes of this model, produced at the factory, were widely operated by the air forces of the USSR and other countries for many years.

In 1956 the factory stepped into the epoch of helicopter production. In that year Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant mastered the production of coaxial-rotor helicopters, designed at Kamov design bureau. For several years the factory was producing various modifications of Ka-15 and Ka-18 light helicopters, and a little later the production of Ka-25 ship-borne helicopter began.

A considerable part of the factory’s history is devoted to manufacture of the most selling Mi-8 helicopter, started in 1970. The helicopters of this model were manufactured at the factory in various versions, they were delivered to different parts of eth world. The factory has produced over 4000 of Mi-8 helicopters altogether.

The enterprise has considerably improved the production technology of this helicopter. The accumulated experience in airplane production helped the factory to provide Mi-8 helicopters with the quality and reliability, typical of airplanes, which became the helicopter’s distinctive feature. Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant was selected to be one of the main suppliers of Mi-8 helicopters for the needs of the USSR Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

In 1977 the enterprise started producing MiG-27M supersonic fighter-bombers. Manufacture of these jets was of high technological complexity: they had the variable geometry of wing, and new technologies were used for their production. MiG-27M fighter bombers became a strong power for the air forces of many countries, and India was given a license for their manufacture.

The 80-s were marked by the beginning of cooperation with Sukhoi design bureau. The factory started the production of Su-25UB airplane - the training-combat version of the legendary Su-25 assault airplane, also known as the “Black Bird” and “Frog Foot”. At the present day, Su-25UB assault airplanes are in service of Russian Ministry of Defense, as well as in many other countries.

At the present time the state tests of the modernized version of Su-25UB airplane, named Su-25UBM, are in process. Su-25UBM was first demonstrated to the public at the Moscow Airshow MAKS-2007. After the test completion, Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant will start the serial production of Su-25UBM airplane.

In 80-90-s a series of Su-25UTG ship-borne training airplanes was manufactured alongside with Su-25 assault aircraft. These airplanes were supplied for the needs of the USSR and Russian Ministry of Defense. Particularly, they were included into the air group of “Admiral Kuznetsov” aircraft carrier, where they are operated at the present time.

An important stage of the factory’s history was mastering the production of Mi-171 helicopter in the first half of the 90-s. Mi-171 helicopter is a deep modernization of Mi-8 helicopter. When producing Mi-171 helicopters, Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant started cooperating with western companies, manufacturing avionics and special equipment, which was introduced on this helicopter.

Now Mi-171 helicopter is one of the most intensively operated medium/heavy helicopters in the world.

In the latter half of the 90-s the factory started the production of Mi-171Sh military-transport helicopter, equipped with missiles, rockets, and guns. The helicopter has passed the series of tests, and starting from 2002 its first deliveries began. Within a short term Mi-171Sh helicopter was put into military service in a number of countries in South-East Asia, Near East, North Africa, Western Europe (including the NATO countries), CIS.

Another important stage in the modern history of the enterprise is mastering the production of Su-39 assault airplane. This airplane is a deep modernization of Su-25 assault airplane.

In 2005 Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant started production of Mi-171A1 cargo-passenger helicopters. This helicopter was developed on the basis of Mi-171 helicopter. The helicopter has successfully passed the certification procedure at the CTA Aviation Register of Brazil, the requirements of which comply with FAR-29 aviation regulations.