Omnipol acquires Aircraft Industries from Russian owners

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Czech defence electronics and aviation technology company Omnipol Group is to acquire the aerospace firm Aircraft Industries from its Russian owners.

With the acquisition, the largest manufacturer of civilian transport aircraft in the Czech Republic is returning to Czech ownership after 14 years.

Russian mining entity UGMK has controlled the company since 2008 when it acquired a 51% share of the firm, which produces aircraft including the L-410 turboprop. UGMK consolidated its interest in 2013 by taking the remaining 49% shareholding.

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Omnipol said Aircraft Industries was placed in a difficult position because Russia, a core market, was now subject to European Union sanctions as a result of the invasion of Ukraine.

“There are not many traditional Czech manufacturing companies on the market,” says Omnipol president Jiri Podpera. “So it is our duty to maintain and further develop their production.”

 "Aircraft Industries, established in 1936, has been a recognised manufacturer of the L 410 and L 410 NG series transport aircraft. After successfully saving one legend in the field of aviation, the company Aero Vodochody, we want to help save another great representative of the Czech aviation industry," said Jiří Podpěra.

Aircraft Industries chief executive Ilona Plskova says the agreement will provide employees with a “reliable and safe environment” in which to continue working.

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“We have been cooperating with some of the Omnipol Group’s production companies for a long time, and direct involvement in the group will further deepen our mutual activities,” she added.

Both companies anticipate concluding new aircraft supply contracts for customers in third markets in the coming months. Omnipol holding is a Prague-based investment and trading group. Its latest investment was the purchase of a stake in AERO Vodochody Aerospace, a manufacturer of L-39NG aircraft. 

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