Ukrainian aircraft manufacturer Antonov has piloted negotiations with the Canadian government to facilitate a joint modernization and production project of the AN-74TK-200 multipurpose aircraft.
Antonov intends to focus on developing and producing the AN-74TK-200 for the North American and international markets.
Antonov tendered the proposal of a Ukrainian-Canadian program through the defense and aerospace industry association, Ukroboronprom, and the Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine.
Ukroboronprom indicated that the main upgrade of the modernized version of the aircraft would be the inclusion of a ‘glass cockpit.’
The AN-74TK-200 is designed to carry cargo weighing up to 10 tonnes and 52 passengers or a combination of both on international short and medium routes.
Operated by a crew of two pilots, the aircraft has operational limits of 36.5 tons for the maximum take-off weight (MTOW), a flight ceiling of 10.1 kilometers, cruising speeds of 600-700 kilometers per hour, and flight range with a 10-tonne payload of 950 kilometers.
Like many of its existing aircraft models, Antonov boasts the multi-operational capability of the AN-74Tk-200 as its competitive market advantage, which has been heavily debated by aviation enthusiasts globally.
The substantial dependence of the aircraft’s components being manufactured in Russia plays a critical role in the company’s ability to match market demand for potential orders, further hindering the aircraft’s safety and approval certifications in the American and European markets.
Antonov stated that the green light from the intergovernmental agreement between the Council of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of Quebec would initiate the process for the project development.