RECORD · CHRONOLOGY

Nine years in dates

From incorporation in Vanuatu in June 2017 to the Russian Ministry of Industry license in April 2026. Every entry is tied to a specific document, broadcast, or publicly announced event.

  1. June 2017

    Solar Group Limited incorporated

    Incorporation in Vanuatu as the capital-acquisition platform. Begins raising capital directly from retail investors through a network of regional representatives.

  2. 2017 — 2018

    Duyunov Motors funding begins

    First project funding directed to Sovelmash (registered as a Russian legal entity in 2017). Technology target: an asynchronous motor using the Slavyanka winding technology.

  3. September 18, 2018

    Developer code 'ВДРШ' registered

    FGUP Standartinform issues Sovelmash the four-letter organization-developer code 'ВДРШ' per GOST 2.201 — formal entry into the national engineering documentation system. Letter No. A5/04-5960.

  4. 2018

    ASPP Weihai · Chinese regional grant

    According to ASPP Weihai publications, Viktor Arestov received a Taishan Industrial Leading Talents grant (reported amount: CNY 800,000) in support of Slavyanka-related motor modernization work in China.

  5. March 1, 2019

    SEZ residency granted

    Ministry of Economic Development of Russia grants Sovelmash residency in the Technopolis Moscow Special Economic Zone (Alabushevo site). Certificate No. 2019770211100030, signed by V.A. Zhivulin. Land lease for a 20,199 m² parcel follows under contract No. TVZ-1-24.04.2019.

  6. August 30, 2019

    Test bench attested by VNIIFTRI

    Russian Institute for Physical-Technical and Radio Measurements (VNIIFTRI) issues Attestat No. 10/101/1405 for Sovelmash's test bench ВДРШ.441465.001 — for rotating electric machines 10–200 kW.

  7. May 18, 2020

    Moscow State Expertise · positive conclusion

    Mosgosexpertiza issues positive conclusion No. 77-1-1-3-017626-2020 on the design documentation and engineering survey results for the Sovelmash innovation center. Signed by O.A. Paponova. Prerequisite to later construction.

  8. January 21, 2021

    Sovelmash construction begins

    Construction of the PKTB facility in Zelenograd starts. Design target: 14,700 m² with 50+ CNC machining units, a climatic chamber, and a stamping line.

  9. July 27, 2022

    VAT recovery decision · RUB 24,994,504

    Russian Federal Tax Service (IFNS No. 35, signed by S.A. Kostina) issues decision No. 43 refunding 24,994,504 roubles of VAT for Q1 2022. Refund decisions are issued only after the tax authority independently verifies audited turnover and real VAT overpayment.

  10. 2019 — 2024

    Five consecutive years of audit

    Independent financial audits covering fiscal years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 — all publicly available on sovelmash.ru.

  11. August 2024

    AERONOVA retail funding begins

    Retail capital acquisition for the airship program opens. The project is formally launched the following March.

  12. March 4, 2025

    AERONOVA project launch

    OOO AERONOVA formally presents the airship program. Chief designer: Dmitry Khmel. Institutional partners: Bauman, MAI, DKBA, NOC Sever.

  13. June 28, 2025

    Johannesburg conference

    Solar Group hosts a public conference in South Africa with over six hundred attendees — the largest of the 2025 African tour.

  14. July 2025

    NTV federal TV coverage

    NTV, a Russian federal network, carries a report on Sovelmash's industrial motor program and AERONOVA's airship development track.

  15. August 14, 2025

    AGR № 696-5-25/S issued

    Moscow Committee on Architecture grants the architectural-planning approval for the Sovelmash facility. Signed by M.E. Kandebailo.

  16. August 23, 2025

    Sovelmash construction declared complete

    The facility is structurally finished.

  17. September 17, 2025

    ZOS № 779-5-30

    Mosgosstroinadzor issues the federal Construction Completion Conclusion (case file 45,190). The built facility complies with the approved project documentation.

  18. September 20, 2025

    Mozambique ministerial award

    Ministry of Economy of Mozambique awards Solar Group recognition as 'Best Innovative Foreign Company' for contribution to economic diversification.

  19. 2022

    Weihai public honors for Viktor Arestov

    According to ASPP Weihai publications, Viktor Arestov received a set of Weihai honors in 2022, including honorary citizen status, visiting professor appointment, and the Weihai Friendship Award.

  20. October 2025

    First commercial contracts & Yakutia agreement

    Sovelmash signs first confidential commercial contracts (NDA). Two oil-gas customer working groups active. Yakutia delegation visits Voskresensk airfield; formal agreement on Arctic airship applications follows.

  21. November 17–21, 2025

    Dubai Airshow

    AERONOVA exhibits in the Vista startup pavilion among 120 aerospace startups and is listed in the official Vista Sponsors section. Izvestia interviews company representative; Dutch TV visits the booth. 300+ contacts reported.

  22. January 23, 2026

    Aerolyot-01 · first full flight

    The 188 m³ hybrid airship completes its first full flight — vertical take-off and landing, hover, turn while hovering, maneuvering at 45% main-motor thrust. Full telemetry recorded.

  23. December 2025

    Sovelmash first test batch

    First test batches of angle grinders built around the Slavyanka motor begin production at the PKTB facility. Serial commercial production awaits operational permit.

  24. December 22, 2025

    TASS: Russian airship concept through 2035

    Russia's ten-year concept for scientific and technological development of the transport sector is published. AERONOVA is not explicitly named; the regulatory framework aligns.

  25. February 2026

    South African and Zimbabwean delegations visit Moscow

    Ranking partners tour Sovelmash in Zelenograd, visit the AERONOVA airfield, and watch NOVA-01 fly.

  26. April 1, 2026

    Ministry of Industry license Л007-00102-77/04708388

    Indefinite-term Russian Ministry of Industry license for AERONOVA. Category 1530 — lighter-than-air aircraft. Order No. 1555, signed by N. Popova. Verifiable via public registry.

  27. Pending · as of April 2026

    Sovelmash operational commissioning permit

    The final permit required before full serial production remains in process — delayed since Q4 2025 by procedural questions and Technopolis Moscow lease reassignment.