Dmytro Kiwa

Dmytro Semenovich Kiva (; 8 October 1942 – 24 July 2024) was a Ukrainian engineer and academic who was a recipient of the Hero of Ukraine, Order of Merit and Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise. Additionally, he was once the President–General designer at Antonov.

Early life and education Born on 8 October 1942, in the Tatarstan city of Kazan. Kiva graduated from the Kharkov Aviation Institute in 1965. He was employed at the Antonov Aviation Scientific-Technical Complex (ASTC) beginning in 1964. He joined the state-owned corporation in 2006 as its chief designer and rose to the position within two years.

Career Dmytro Kiva was named General Designer on 25 May 2005, by order of Volodymyr Shandra, Minister of Industrial Policy. Furthermore, he was the president and general designer of Antonov ASTC from 2006. As early as 2006, Antonov proposed to create fighter and attack aircraft. However, Kiva stated that at the time, they were arguing that it wasn't required. He went on to say that Ukrainian businesses would be involved in the creation of these aircraft, which would include Ukrainian engines, equipment, and armaments.

Under Dmytro Kiva's leadership, the Antonov Company grew and achieved high production activity indices despite challenging economic times. Honorable Company Collective has consistently represented Ukraine at the highest international forums, safeguarded its aviation potential in global markets, upheld high social standards, operated as an enterprise devoid of government subsidies, and is among the largest taxpayers in Ukraine. Notably, the Antonov An-70, An-148 and An-158, An-140, and An-178 have all been designed by Kiva. Kiva was negotiating potential cooperation with the Russian government in December 2013. Production of the An-148 and An-158 was discussed. Mikailo Hvozdev took over as Antonov's CEO in June 2016, although Kiva was said to have remained the company's chief designer. Later that year, he relocated from Kyiv to Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, to work on developing the country's aviation sector. He carefully considered his options and hoped to be able to carry out aviation initiatives that would benefit Azerbaijan.

Awards and recognitions Kiva received the title of Hero of Ukraine in 2009 in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the growth of the national aviation industry and the country's economic potential.

Oleh Kostiantynovych Antonov Prize of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (2002) Honored Science and Technology Figure of Ukraine Honorary Citizen of Kyiv (2012)