Beriev gets to build Be-2500!

[C]

Maybe the Russian Government?  

The one with no money (like most other ex Soviet states)?

[Boomtown Rat]

The one with no money (like most other ex Soviet states)?

Rather the Ukrainian government or Antonov, either way, the second one is being built.  As well, Russia has money, the economy is expanding 6% yearly, compared to the Eurozone which is stagnating around 1-1.5%.

[cheesegrater]

According to both the Ukrainian Minister of Transportation and Communications Nikolay Rud'kovskiy, http://www.flightlevel350.com/Antonov_A ... facts.html as well as wikipedia.org , the second An-225 is being completed, with most construction completion dates being set for 2008.

Those aren't really reliable sources. Also, wikipedia doesn't say it it nearing completion anymore.

[Boomtown Rat]

Those aren't really reliable sources. Also, wikipedia doesn't say it it nearing completion anymore.

From wikipedia: "By 2000 it had become apparent that the demand for the An-225 had exceeded the airline's capacity to book, and in 2004 the decision was made to complete the second An-225. This should be accomplished by mid-2006, with certification expected later in 2006.[4]"

Also, according to allexperts.com: "A second An-225 was partially built during the late 1980s"in connection with the Soviet space program"but was never finished. This aircraft is finally nearing completion as of 2005. The construction of further units will depend upon demand for outsize cargolifting."

And finally, Airliners.net (the main site stats, not forum): "A second An-225 was partly built, but became stored before it was finished. Early 2002 Antonov was working again on this second aircraft to bring it to flying status. It is possible that more aircraft of the type will be built, depending on market demand."