The overall aim of the AERO-UA project was to stimulate aviation research collaboration between the EU and Ukraine through strategic and targeted support. AERO-UA was focused solely on Ukraine, because the country has a huge aerospace potential but a low level of aviation research collaboration with the EU. Ukraine’s aerospace sector spans the full spectrum of systems and components development and production with OEMs, Tier 1 and 2 suppliers, aeroengine manufacturers, control systems manufacturers, R&D institutions, aeronautic universities, and SMEs. This is also reflected in the sector’s important contribution to the country’s economy (e.g. aircraft production of €1,9 billion in 2011). Ukrainian aerospace organisations possess unique know-how that can help Europe address the challenges identified in the ACARE SRIA / Flightpath 2050 Report. Furthermore, following the signing of the Agreement for the Association of Ukraine to Horizon 2020 in March 2015, Ukrainian organisations are eligible to participate in Clean Sky 2 and H2020 Transport on the same funding terms as those from EU member states. Equally, genuine commercial opportunities exist for European aviation organisations to help modernise Ukraine’s aerospace sector.

Leadership of Work Package key to the project – EU-UA aviation research knowledge transfer pilot projects in the field of aerostructures, aeroengines and aerospace manufacturing. Organisation of short-term visits between UA and EU partners allowed by pilot projects, devoted to exchange of knowledge, receiving training and/or conducting feasibility studies in areas of considerable research cooperation potential. Organisation of aerospace factory tours and technical visits in Poland and participation in the formulation of recommendations to facilitate long-term EU-UA aviation research collaboration.