Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing

Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, commonly abbreviated as TAM and also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni, is a Georgian aerospace and defense industrial company based in Tbilisi. The enterprise was established on 15 December 1941 after aircraft factories from Taganrog and Sevastopol were relocated to Georgia during the early years of the Second World War. It became one of the Soviet Union's important aircraft-production facilities and was historically known as the 31st Aviation Factory. During the Second World War, the factory produced fighter aircraft for the Soviet Air Force, including the LaGG-3 and Yak-3. Its wartime role was particularly important for the Caucasian front, which the factory supplied as a dedicated fighter-aircraft source. After the war, TAM worked with the Yakovlev design bureau on the production of early Soviet jet fighters. Its postwar output included the Yak-15, Yak-17, Yak-23, and a two-seat trainer derivative of the Yak-23. The company later became a major producer of Soviet military aviation. In the 1950s it manufactured the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17, followed from 1957 by the MiG-21 and related variants. MiG-21 production continued for approximately a quarter-century. TAM also produced the K-10S air-to-surface guided missile and, during the Cold War, manufactured substantial quantities of R-60 and R-73 infrared-guided air-to-air missiles. The factory's most prominent aircraft association is the Sukhoi Su-25 close-support aircraft, known by the NATO reporting name Frogfoot. The first Su-25 made its maiden flight from the factory's runway, and TAM was the sole manufacturer of the type for a period extending from the beginning of production into the 1990s. More than 800 Su-25 aircraft were delivered to customers worldwide according to the referenced account. From 1996 to 1998, the company produced the Su-25U trainer version, and from 2001 it began converting basic Su-25 airframes into the Su-25KM Scorpion modernization. TAM also pursued non-aircraft industrial work. Between 1950 and 1990, it manufactured cable-car cabins and associated equipment, some of which remained in operation in locations including Crimea, Kislovodsk, Pyatigorsk, Sochi, Sigulda, Khulo, Chiatura, Borjomi, and Kutaisi. In the late 1990s, the company cooperated with the Georgian Space Constructions Institute on a space antenna reflector that was successfully used on the Russian space station Mir. The company was damaged by Russian air strikes during the August 2008 South Ossetia war. The conflict also influenced Georgia's defense-industrial priorities. In its aftermath, TAM worked with the Georgian state defense research and production center STC Delta on the development and construction of the Didgori armored personnel carrier family and the Lazika infantry fighting vehicle. This broadened the company's profile from aircraft production and support into land-systems manufacturing. TAM's contemporary capabilities are centered on repair, overhaul, modernization, and life-extension work. The referenced material identifies support for Su-25 aircraft; Mil Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters; Mil Mi-24 and Mi-35 attack helicopters; R-60 and R-73 missiles; and Aero L-39 Albatros trainer aircraft. In 2020, the factory began restoring aircraft operated by the Georgian Air Force. Its historical customers and recipients have included Georgia, Azerbaijan, Gambia, and Turkmenistan. The company therefore occupies a specialized position in Georgia's defense-industrial base, combining Soviet-platform sustainment with aircraft modernization and selected armored-vehicle production.

Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing was established on 15 December 1941 as the Tbilisi Aircraft State Association, later becoming associated with the name JSC Tbilaviamsheni and the historical designation 31st Aviation Factory. Its creation followed the wartime transfer of aircraft factories from Taganrog and Sevastopol to Tbilisi. The relocated industrial capacity allowed the Georgian facility to begin producing combat aircraft for the Soviet Union during the Second World War. Its wartime output included the LaGG-3 and Yak-3, and the factory served as the sole fighter-aircraft supplier for the Caucasian front according to the referenced historical account. After 1945, the enterprise transitioned into Soviet jet-aircraft production. Working with the Yakovlev design bureau, it built the Yak-15 from 1946 and subsequently produced the Yak-17, Yak-23, and a two-seat Yak-23 trainer. In the 1950s, TAM manufactured the MiG-17 and later moved into MiG-21 production. Beginning in 1957, it built the two-seat MiG-21 and associated derivatives, maintaining that production activity for approximately 25 years. The factory also made the K-10S air-to-surface guided missile. The enterprise diversified beyond aircraft and weapons. From 1950 through 1990 it produced cable-car cabins and equipment for installations in several Soviet and later post-Soviet locations. This industrial work demonstrated that the factory possessed capabilities in large-scale fabrication and mechanical systems in addition to military aviation. During the late Cold War, it also became a major producer of R-60 and R-73 infrared-guided air-to-air missiles, reportedly reaching annual production of more than 6,000 missiles before that activity ended in the early 1990s. TAM's most important aircraft program was the Sukhoi Su-25 close-support aircraft. The first Su-25 made its maiden flight from the factory's runway, and TAM remained the only manufacturer of the aircraft for a period extending from the start of the program into the 1990s. More than 800 Su-25 aircraft were delivered to customers worldwide according to the referenced account. The factory later produced Su-25U aircraft between 1996 and 1998 and began a Su-25KM Scorpion upgrade program in 2001, converting basic airframes into a modernized configuration. In the late 1990s, TAM cooperated with the Georgian Space Constructions Institute on the design and production of a space antenna reflector. The reflector was successfully used on the Russian space station Mir. This project represented a temporary extension of the company's engineering activity into space hardware while remaining connected to its manufacturing base. The August 2008 Russo-Georgian war had a direct impact on the factory: Russian aircraft bombed the TAM facility during the conflict. The war also exposed the Georgian armed forces' reliance on aging Soviet-era armored vehicles. In response, TAM cooperated with STC Delta on the development and construction of the Didgori armored personnel carrier family and the Lazika infantry fighting vehicle. These programs broadened the enterprise's role from aircraft and missile production into domestic land-systems manufacturing. Since 2020, the factory has been involved in restoration work for Georgian Air Force aircraft. Its current technical portfolio includes repair, overhaul, life-extension, and modernization of Su-25 aircraft; Mi-8 and Mi-17 transport helicopters; Mi-24 and Mi-35 attack helicopters; R-60 and R-73 missiles; and Aero L-39 Albatros trainers. TAM's documented customers include Georgia, Azerbaijan, Gambia, and Turkmenistan. The company's present identity is therefore based less on large-scale Soviet-era new-build production than on specialized aerospace maintenance, modernization, defense manufacturing, and preservation of Georgia's military aviation capabilities.

1. 2020Georgian Air Force restoration work begins

   The factory began restoring aircraft operated by the Georgian Air Force.

   Source
2. 2008Factory is bombed during the South Ossetia war

   The TAM facility was damaged by Russian bombing during the August 2008 Russo-Georgian war.

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3. 2001Su-25KM Scorpion upgrade program begins

   TAM started upgrading baseline Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM Scorpion configuration.

   Source
4. 1996Su-25U production period begins

   TAM produced Su-25U trainer aircraft from 1996 through 1998.

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5. 1957MiG-21 production starts

   The factory began building the MiG-21 two-seat fighter and related variants, continuing for roughly 25 years.

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6. 1946Production of the Yak-15 begins

   TAM worked with the Yakovlev design bureau to produce the Yak-15, one of the Soviet Union's first jet fighters.

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7. 1941Tbilisi Aircraft State Association is established

   The enterprise was founded on 15 December 1941 following the relocation of aircraft factories from Taganrog and Sevastopol to Tbilisi.

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A Georgian defense and aerospace manufacturer focused on sustaining, upgrading, and extending the service life of Soviet- and Russian-origin aircraft and weapons, while also supporting domestic armored-vehicle development.

• Su-25Close-support military aircraft

  The Su-25 is TAM's best-known aircraft program. The first aircraft made its maiden flight from the factory's runway, and TAM was the sole manufacturer of the type for a period extending into the 1990s. The company has also supported later repair, overhaul, and modernization work on Su-25 airframes.

• Su-25UTwo-seat trainer aircraft1996

  TAM produced the Su-25U trainer variant during the 1996–1998 period. The program extended the factory's Su-25 manufacturing activity beyond the original single-seat close-support configuration.

• Su-25KM ScorpionAircraft modernization program2001

  The Su-25KM Scorpion is a modernization of the basic Su-25 airframe. TAM began converting existing aircraft to this configuration in 2001, making modernization and life-extension a central part of its post-Soviet aerospace role.

• MiG-21Fighter aircraft1957

  Beginning in 1957, TAM manufactured the two-seat MiG-21 and related derivative aircraft. Production continued for approximately 25 years and formed one of the factory's major Cold War aircraft programs.

• DidgoriArmored personnel carrier

  The Didgori is a family of Georgian armored personnel carriers developed and constructed by TAM in cooperation with STC Delta after the 2008 Russo-Georgian war. The program reflected Georgia's effort to replace or supplement aging Soviet-era armored vehicles.

• LazikaInfantry fighting vehicle

  Lazika is an infantry fighting vehicle developed and constructed through cooperation between TAM and STC Delta. Its development formed part of the post-2008 expansion of Georgia's domestic defense-manufacturing capabilities.

• R-60 and R-73Infrared-guided air-to-air missiles

  TAM operated large-scale production of the R-60 and R-73 infrared-guided air-to-air missiles during the Soviet and early post-Soviet periods. The referenced account states that production exceeded 6,000 missiles per year before ending in the early 1990s; current support capabilities include repair, overhaul, and life-extension work.

• Aircraft maintenance and restoration servicesAerospace maintenance

  TAM's current capabilities include repair, overhaul, life-extension, modification, and restoration of Su-25 aircraft, Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters, Mi-24 and Mi-35 helicopters, R-60 and R-73 missiles, and Aero L-39 Albatros trainers.

• 2020Start of Georgian Air Force aircraft restorationStrategy

  Georgia required domestic support for maintaining and restoring its military aircraft fleet.

  What changed. TAM began restoration work on Georgian Air Force aircraft.

  Aftermath. The work strengthened TAM's role as a national military-aircraft maintenance and restoration center.

  Source
• 2008Expansion into armored vehicles after the Russo-Georgian warStrategy

  The conflict highlighted Georgia's dependence on aging Soviet-era armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles.

  What changed. TAM cooperated with STC Delta on the Didgori armored personnel carrier family and Lazika infantry fighting vehicle.

  Aftermath. The company broadened its defense-industrial scope from aircraft and missile manufacturing into land-based military systems.

  Source
• 2001Launch of the Su-25KM Scorpion modernization programGeneration change

  TAM retained expertise in the Su-25 after the end of its original Soviet-era production role and sought to extend the service life of existing aircraft.

  What changed. The company began upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM Scorpion configuration.

  Aftermath. The program reinforced TAM's transition toward aircraft modernization and sustainment rather than relying solely on new-build aircraft production.

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• 2020Georgian Air Force aircraft restoration program begins

  The factory began restoring aircraft operated by the Georgian Air Force, reinforcing its role in domestic military-aircraft sustainment.

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• 2008TAM factory damaged during the 2008 South Ossetia war

  The Russian Air Force bombed the factory during the August 2008 Russo-Georgian conflict.

  Other
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• 2001Su-25KM Scorpion modernization program begins

  TAM began upgrading baseline Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM Scorpion configuration.

  Product launch
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• 1996TAM produces Su-25U trainer aircraft

  The factory manufactured Su-25U aircraft during the 1996–1998 production period.

  Product generation
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• 1957MiG-21 production begins at the Tbilisi factory

  TAM began producing the MiG-21 two-seat fighter and related derivatives, continuing the program for roughly 25 years.

  Product generation
  Source
• 1946TAM begins production of early Soviet jet fighters

  Following wartime piston-engine fighter production, the factory worked with the Yakovlev design bureau on the Yak-15 and later Soviet jet aircraft.

  Product generation
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• 1941Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing established after wartime factory relocations

  Aircraft factories from Taganrog and Sevastopol were relocated to Tbilisi, forming the industrial basis of the enterprise during the Second World War.

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• First Su-25 makes maiden flight from TAM facilities

  The factory's runway hosted the maiden flight of the first Su-25 close-support aircraft, establishing TAM's central role in the type's production history.

  Product launch
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• TAM expands into Georgian armored-vehicle production

  After the 2008 conflict, TAM worked with STC Delta on the Didgori armored personnel carrier family and Lazika infantry fighting vehicle.

  Product launch
  Source

1. Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing