A Ukrainian aircraft manufacturing company Antonov received a state order of three Antonov AN-178 military transport aircraft for the country’s Ministry of Defence.
On December 30, 2020, Antonov confirmed the state order for the Armed Forces of Ukraine consisting of three AN-178s, the short-range medium-airlift military planes. Deliveries of the three military air vehicles are scheduled to begin in 2023.
#ANTONOV Company received a state order for three #AN178 aircraft for the Ministry of Defense…
— Antonov Company (@AntonovCompany) December 30, 2020
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The deal is Antonov’s first governmental order in a 29 -years-period, since the creation of independent Ukraine.
“These new aircraft will be built by Ukrainian citizens, from Ukrainian components, for Ukrainian interests. In fact, this is how it should be. Let’s do everything possible for the aviation industry of Ukraine to overcome all zones of turbulence and reach new heights,” Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, told local media.
The new military aircraft was announced in 2010 and made its first flight after five years, in May 2015. According to Antonov, having a maximum range of 4,700 km with a maximum takeoff weight of 52,400 kg, the AN-178 is based on the An-158 regional airliner and is capable to carry up to 18 tons of cargo. The aircraft can be used for light military equipment or personnel transportation as well as cargo operations.