TBILISI AEROSPACE MANUFACTURING

TAM (known until privatisation in 2000 as Tbilisi Aviation State Association) established 15 December 1941 when No. 448 Engine Manufacturing plant was augmented by the evacuated No. 31 Aircraft Factory from Taganrog (GAZ-31) and No. 45 Aircraft Factory from Sevastopol (GAZ-45); began aircraft production with the LaGG-3 fighter, and progressed through La-5, Yak-3, Yak-15, Yak-17/17UTI, Yak-23, MiG-15 and MiG-17 to building 1,677 MiG-21U/UMs (for which it offers an upgrade programme) between 1957 and 1984. The plant also began Su-25/25U production in 1978 and has built 875 basic single-seat versions, including 50 Su-25BM target-tugs. In total, it has built over 8,070 manned aircraft, 2,555 UAVs and over 36,000 AAMs (30,000 R-60/AA-8s and 6,000 R-73/AA-11s).
Current manufacture, at low rate, is of the Su-25UB two-seat trainer; also produced small batch of its Su-25T (Su-39) derivative. Production is also stated to be under way of a batch of 20 Yak-58 light transports, although there is no evidence of recent sales. Upgrade activities include a 'Frogfoot' modernisation, the Su-25KM Scorpion, a prototype of which flew in 2001.
The 250,000 m² (2,691,000 sq ft) TAM plant employed 15,000 personnel at its peak, but currently has a workforce of about 2,000. A 1999 alliance with Kelowna Flightcraft of Canada provides for TAM to assist with production of materials for the Convair 5800 conversion programme and eventually undertake the entire programme, if demand warrants. TAM also plans to fabricate components for the US ViperJet two-seat kitbuilt.
Non-aviation products include ground power units, domestic space heaters, combine harvesters and roofing materials.