IAF Woes Resolved: An-32 Aircraft Upgrade Issues Ironed Out, Ukraine To Provide An-132 Fleet As Replacement
At Aero India-19, Antonov State Corporation of Ukraine offered to resolve all the pending issues with the ageing An-32 transport aircraft and also agreed to sell the newer An-132, a replacement for the An-32 fleet, as per reports.
“We are optimistic that the pending issues will be closed shortly… Ukraine should supply all spares and material in two years. After that, it is on India how fast the upgrades are finished,” Oleksandr Donets, President of Antonov was quoted as saying.
In 2009, India finalised a $400 million deal with Ukraine to extend the life of the entire fleet of 105 An-32 aircraft acquired from the Soviet Union. Presently, 46 aircraft have been upgraded, out of which 40 were re-fitted in Ukraine.
IAF has held initial discussions with Antonov for the further life-extension of the An-32 fleet by another five years.
Talking about the newer An-132 twin-engined turboprop military transport aircraft, Donets said, “An-132, which is a major improvement in terms of features and performance over the An-32, makes an ideal replacement for the IAF, and offered joint production in India under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.” The aircraft is jointly being developed jointly by Saudi Arabia and Ukraine.
More Make In India
On 20 January US Defence major Lockheed Martin announced a new F-21 fighter jet which will be locally manufactured under the ‘Make In India’ programme along with its India partner Tata Advanced Systems. Lockheed Martin is hoping to bag order from the Indian Air Force.