Photo from itc.ua
Antonov design bureau, Ukrainian aircraft manufacturing and services company, has signed its first contract at the air show in Le Bourget in France.
Saudi Arabia is reported to be investing in the manufacturing of the Antonov-32 light cargo plane.
"It is the only aircraft that can land and take off on sand. This is a plane of a caliber that suits them," Antonov representatives said, Ukrainian news Channel 5 reported.
Saudi Arabia does not want only to purchase the planes, but to invest in manufacturing the new aircraft in Saudi Arabia. The technologies are to be provided by German experts, and manufacturing will be carried out by local specialists under the supervision of Ukrainian specialists. According to Saudi Arabian legislation, such a joint venture must include no less than 70% local employees.
"In future there will be a complex of aircraft manufacturing facilities integrated with each other," a representative of the Saudi Arabian delegation said.
Production will begin within two years, according to the statement. Saudi interest in Antonov goes back to 2013 when a delegation from the kingdom visited the company and inspected their facilities. According to one source, contract negotiations between the two countries commenced seven months ago.