Aviastar-SP
A Russian aircraft manufacturing and maintenance company based in Ulyanovsk.
Last updated August 26, 2026
Overview
Aviastar-SP is a Russian aircraft manufacturing enterprise headquartered in Ulyanovsk. The factory was established in 1976 as the Ulyanovsk Aviation Production Complex, a large Soviet industrial project intended to create a new-generation aircraft production center. The original concept envisaged an integrated site combining airframe, avionics, and engine production. Although the avionics and engine elements of that plan were not fully completed, the Ulyanovsk facility became one of the Soviet Union's most important aircraft assembly plants and remains a significant production site within Russia's aviation industry. The enterprise was created principally to manufacture large strategic and transport aircraft. Its historical production program included the Antonov An-124 Ruslan heavy transport aircraft and the Tupolev Tu-204 family of medium-haul passenger aircraft, with the Tu-214 excluded from the company's principal family-wide production description. The plant's scale was regarded as exceptional when it was built, reflecting Soviet ambitions to concentrate major aircraft manufacturing capabilities in a single modern complex. In November 1991, during the transition from the Soviet industrial system, the Ulyanovsk Aviation Production Complex was renamed Aviastar after becoming a joint-stock enterprise. The present Aviastar-SP organization developed from that industrial predecessor. Aviastar-SP's contemporary role is closely connected with United Aircraft Corporation and Russia's state-supported aircraft programs. Together with Ilyushin and UAC Transport Aircraft, the company participates in the production of the Il-76MD-90A heavy military transport aircraft. This version incorporates major structural, landing-gear, propulsion, and avionics changes compared with earlier Il-76 variants. The Ulyanovsk site is also associated with the Il-78M-90A tanker program, derived from the Il-76 platform. The aircraft is intended for aerial refueling and can also support transport and firefighting missions. Beyond final assembly, Aviastar-SP performs maintenance and deep modernization work on An-124 Ruslan aircraft. It also contributes components and assemblies to several Russian civil and military aviation programs. For the MC-21 medium-haul passenger aircraft, its responsibilities include wing-root and empennage assembly, fuselage panels, doors and hatches, the F5 and auxiliary-power-unit compartments, high-resource pipelines, and interior installation. The company has likewise participated in industrial preparations for the Il-112 light transport aircraft, supplying specified fuselage panels, doors, and hatches, and in the Il-114-300 regional aircraft program, manufacturing or assembling fuselage panels and related structural parts. The company therefore operates not only as an aircraft assembler but also as a producer of major airframe structures and a maintenance center for heavy transport aircraft. Its importance derives from the size and specialization of the Ulyanovsk facility, its role in Russian military transport aviation, and its integration into broader United Aircraft Corporation production programs. Public reference material identifies Aviastar-SP as a closed joint-stock company. A 2007 ownership-related reference states that 1.25 percent of Aviastar-SP capital was transferred into United Aircraft Corporation by the Russian Federation, while the company's broader corporate position is described within the UAC group. Detailed current financial information, website information, and a fully documented current ownership structure are not established in the supplied reference material.
History
Aviastar-SP originated in the Soviet Union's effort to establish a major new aircraft manufacturing complex at Ulyanovsk. Planning and design work began in the early 1970s, with the enterprise formally established in 1976 as the Ulyanovsk Aviation Production Complex. The facility was conceived as a large, modern production center for a new generation of strategic aircraft. Its planned industrial ecosystem included airframe, avionics, and engine manufacturing. The airframe plant was built and became the core of the enterprise, while the planned avionics and engine capabilities were not fully completed. The Ulyanovsk complex was designed on an exceptionally large scale and became associated with the Soviet Union's strategic aviation-industrial ambitions. Its principal aircraft responsibilities included production of the Antonov An-124 Ruslan heavy transport aircraft and the Tupolev Tu-204 medium-range passenger aircraft. The Tu-204 program represented the plant's role in civil aviation, while the An-124 connected it to heavy military and strategic airlift manufacturing. In its early years the enterprise also controlled substantial agricultural land, reportedly using approximately 40,000 acres to grow agricultural products for employees and for sale. This reflected the broader self-contained character of many large Soviet industrial enterprises. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the production complex was reorganized. In November 1991 it was renamed Aviastar when it became a joint-stock enterprise. The Aviastar-SP corporate identity subsequently came to represent the Ulyanovsk aircraft factory. The company's legal form is described in reference material as a closed joint-stock company. In 2007, the Russian Federation transferred a 1.25 percent interest in Aviastar-SP's capital into United Aircraft Corporation, linking the plant to the consolidation of Russia's principal aircraft manufacturers under the UAC structure. In the modern period, Aviastar-SP has focused heavily on transport and special-mission aircraft. Working with JSC Ilyushin and UAC Transport Aircraft, it participates in the Il-76MD-90A program. The aircraft is a deeply revised version of the Il-76, featuring modernized wing and center-section structures, strengthened landing gear, upgraded engines, and substantially revised digital navigation and onboard electronic systems. The same production family supports the Il-78M-90A tanker, intended for aerial refueling as well as transport and firefighting-related roles. The plant also maintains and extensively modernizes An-124 Ruslan aircraft. Its activities extend beyond complete aircraft and include structural manufacturing for several Russian programs. In the MC-21 project, Aviastar-SP is responsible for a range of assemblies and components, including wing-root and empennage work, fuselage panels, doors and hatches, the F5 and auxiliary-power-unit compartments, high-resource pipelines, and interior installation. The company has also contributed fuselage panels, doors, and hatches to the Il-112 light transport aircraft project, and has participated in the Il-114-300 regional aircraft program through production and assembly of fuselage panels and related structural items. These activities make Aviastar-SP a vertically significant aircraft industrial site rather than a narrowly focused brand. Its capabilities encompass final assembly, heavy-aircraft maintenance, modernization, and production of structural components for civil and military aircraft. The company remains part of Russia's state-linked aircraft manufacturing system through its relationship with United Aircraft Corporation. Current public reference material does not provide complete information about present production volumes, finances, customer deliveries, or a dedicated corporate website.
- 2020Sergey Sheremetov becomes managing director
Sergey Konstantinovich Sheremetov became managing director in September, while V. V. Nikulin was identified as chairman of the board.
- 2018Vasily Dontsov appointed acting managing director
Vasily Nikolaevich Dontsov was appointed acting managing director on May 3.
- 2017Sergey Yurasov becomes managing director
Sergey Yurasov took over the managing director role in January.
- 2016Andrey Kapustin appointed managing director
Andrey Anatolyevich Kapustin became managing director in March.
- 2010Sergey Dementiev becomes general director
Sergey Gennadievich Dementiev began a term as the company's general director.
- 2007Capital interest transferred into United Aircraft Corporation
Reference material reports that the Russian Federation transferred a 1.25 percent interest in Aviastar-SP's capital into United Aircraft Corporation.
- 1991Enterprise renamed Aviastar
In November, the production complex was renamed Aviastar as it transitioned into a joint-stock enterprise during the post-Soviet industrial reorganization.
- 1976Ulyanovsk Aviation Production Complex established
The Soviet Union established the Ulyanovsk Aviation Production Complex as a large aircraft manufacturing project intended to support advanced strategic and transport aircraft production.
Products and positioning
A large Russian aircraft production and maintenance enterprise focused on heavy transport aviation, military derivatives of the Il-76 platform, major airframe structures, and participation in national aircraft programs.
An-124 RuslanHeavy transport aircraft
Aviastar-SP historically manufactured the An-124 Ruslan, a long-range heavy transport aircraft. The company also performs maintenance and deep modernization of aircraft of this type, making the program part of both its manufacturing heritage and its continuing heavy-aircraft support role.
Il-76MD-90AHeavy military transport aircraft
A modernized heavy transport derivative of the Il-76 produced through cooperation involving Aviastar-SP, JSC Ilyushin, and UAC Transport Aircraft. The program includes revised wing and center-section structures, stronger landing gear, upgraded engines, and substantially updated digital avionics and navigation equipment.
Il-78M-90AAerial refueling tanker
A tanker aircraft based on the Il-76 platform and associated with Aviastar-SP's production activities. It is intended primarily for aerial refueling, while the stated operational concept also includes cargo transport and firefighting missions.
Tu-204 familyMedium-haul passenger aircraft
Aviastar-SP manufactured the Tupolev Tu-204 family of medium-range passenger aircraft, apart from the Tu-214. The program represents the plant's principal historical civil-aircraft production activity and complemented its heavy military and strategic transport work.
MC-21 structural componentsCivil aircraft components
For the MC-21 medium-haul passenger aircraft program, Aviastar-SP manufactures or assembles wing-root and empennage structures, fuselage panels, hatches and doors, the F5 compartment, the auxiliary-power-unit compartment, high-resource pipelines, and interior elements.
Il-112 structural componentsLight transport aircraft components
In cooperation with the Voronezh Aviation Plant, Aviastar-SP participated in preparations for the Il-112 light transport aircraft by producing panels for the F-1, F-2, and F-3 fuselage compartments, together with specified hatches and doors.
Il-114-300 structural componentsRegional aircraft components
Aviastar-SP participates in the Il-114-300 regional aircraft project through production and assembly of fuselage panels, including skins, stringers, rims, and compensators, as well as hatches and doors.
Flagship businesses
- Il-76MD-90A
- Il-78M-90A
- An-124 Ruslan maintenance and modernization
- Tu-204 family production
- MC-21 structural components
Leadership
| Name | Title | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| Sergey Konstantinovich Sheremetov | Managing Director | 2020– |
| V. V. Nikulin | Chairman of the Board of Directors | 2020– |
| Vasily Nikolaevich Dontsov | Acting Managing Directorformer | 2018–2020 |
| Sergey Yurasov | Managing Directorformer | 2017–2018 |
| Andrey Anatolyevich Kapustin | Managing Directorformer | 2016–2017 |
| Sergey Gennadievich Dementiev | General Directorformer | 2010–2016 |
| Mikhail Nikolaevich Shushpanov | General Directorformer | 2008–2010 |
| Viktor Vasilyevich Mikhailov | General Directorformer | 2001–2008 |
| Yuri Viktorovich Ryazanov | General Directorformer | 2001–2001 |
| Gennady Ivanovich Korotnev | General Directorformer | 1997–2000 |
| Viktor Vasilyevich Mikhailov | General Directorformer | 1990–1997 |
| Mikhail Prokofievich Pilnik | General Director of the Ulyanovsk Aviation Production Complexformer | 1986–1990 |
| Fen Zagidovich Abdulin | General Director of the Ulyanovsk Aviation Production Complexformer | 1980–1985 |
| Apollon Sergeevich Systsov | First General Director of the Ulyanovsk Aviation Production Complexformer | 1975–1980 |
Sources
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