Channel 5
A state-owned enterprise Antonov, the only Ukrainian aircraft manufacturing company, belonging to the state concern Ukroboronprom, has launched production of a new light multi-purpose transport aircraft An-132, jointly with Saudi Arabia, the company's head Mykhailo Gvozdev told journalists during a presentation at the plant.
The first prototype aircraft is to be completed by the end of 2016.
"At the end of 2016 we plan flight tests. This will be the first prototype," Gvozdev said and added that the production of 100 such aircrafts is planned.
However, Oleksandr Khokhlov, the director of An-132 program, did not specify the terms of production.
"Joint production scheme will be considered. The first aircrafts may be assembled in our country, and then painted in Saudi Arabia. Perhaps, they may wish to establish a large scale assembly and set to develop a full-range production on their territory," Khokhlov said.
He also noted that the project would involve leading aviation companies, including Pratt & Whitney Canada, General Electric, Honeywell, Liebherr and Hamilton Sundstrand.
As UNIAN reported earlier, the An-132 design project was developed in April this year, and in June it was showcased at Le Bourget Paris Air Show-2015.
It was also reported that in June 2015, Antonov signed a participation agreement for the design and construction of an aviation plant in Saudi Arabia. The plant is to be furnished with modern equipment, allowing the implementation of new aviation technologies in the aircraft production.
The company estimates the market demand for the aircraft to be 900 units.