NAUCHNO-PROIZVODSTVENNAYA KORPORATSIYA IRKUT OAO (Irkut Scientific-Production Corporation JSC)
Founded on 28 March 1932 and commissioned on 24 August 1934, as GAZ-125 (becoming GAZ-39 in 1941), Irkut has built some 6,500 aircraft of 16 types from Antonov, Ilyushin, MiG, Petlyakov, Sukhoi, Tupolev and Yakovlev bureaux and supplied them to 21 countries. In recent years, it has manufactured MiG-23UB trainers (1970-85); 165 kits for Indian-assembled MiG-27MLs; Su-27UB trainers (from 1986); and is currently responsible for producing the Su-30 fighter (since 1991) and Beriev Be-200 amphibian. Su-30 customers include China and India; offers Su-27UBM and Su-30KN upgrades to older aircraft. Series manufacture of the Yak-112 lightplane has been abandoned, although company has been allocated prospective manufacture of the Ilyushin/HAL Il-214 twin-jet transport. Also undertakes Su-30 upgrades.
Irkut shareholders are Brunswick UBS Warburg Nominees (25.72 per cent), Forpost Commercial Bank (20.60 per cent), FTK Company (20.35 per cent), APVK Sukhoi (14.70 per cent), Aerocom (10.18 per cent), other companies (4.9 per cent) and individuals (3.55 per cent). Subsidiary companies are Irkut Aviation Industrial Association (aircraft manufacturing plant), Beriev (39.57 per cent holding), Beta-Air (66.15 per cent), Russian Avionics (57 per cent), Irkut Aviastep (wholly owned), Itela (51 per cent), Techserviceavia (51 per cent), Gidroaviasalon (30 per cent) and Irkut private pension fund (wholly owned).
Is member of AVPK Sukhoi. Known from April 1989 until 2002 as IAPO (Irkutsk Aviation Industrial Association), having become a joint stock company in October 1992, but on 19 December 2002, shareholders approved a company change of name to Irkut NPK OAO, IAPO becoming subsidiary. In 1997 was first Russian aviation enterprise to gain ISO 9002 status and in April 2001 became first Russian military production enterprise to issue short-term debt notes on financial market.
In 2000, IAPO branched out into design and manufacture of its own products in the form of the prototype A-002 autogyro. Expansion of civil programmes is strategic objective. The Irkut 111 design is for an ultra-wide-bodied regional airliner with twin fins and three-aisle configuration for only 106 passengers.
Under government plans announced in May 2001, IAPO is to join the aerospace group also including Sukhoi, Ilyushin, Mil, Yakovlev and their associated factories. In August 2003, irkut and Yakovlev announced plans for a joint venture company to manage their eventual merger. Employees in 2003 totalled 22,000 including 15,000 at IAPO factory; over 12,000; further 1,500 firms supply plant with materials. In March 2003, Irkut announced intention to acquire at least 25 per cent shareholding in Taganrog (Beriev) aviation plant.