Grand Premiere: Antonov presents new An-132 transport aircraft (photo)

Ukraine's top officials -- President Petro Poroshenko and Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksandr Turchynov -- have attended the aircraft roll-out in Kyiv.

The ceremony was also attended by top management of Ukraine's state-owned defense giant Ukroboronprom and Antonov design bureau, which is part of the Concern.

Read alsoPoroshenko approves Antonov's debt restructuring, relief worth UAH 1.3 blnThe representatives of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which are customers and partners in the project, were also present.

According to the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, until 2035, the world will need about 260 such aircraft. "Very few countries can celebrate such holiday as the launch of a new aircraft model," he said.

As UNIAN reported earlier, the production of the first sample of An-132 was launched in September 2015. At the same time, Antonov has signed a number of agreements with Saudi Arabia on the deliveries of these aircraft from 2017, as well as on the joint design and production of aircraft plant in its territory where mass production of An-132 is planned.

Ukrainian company management has assessed the needs of the world market in such aircraft to about 900 units over the next 20 years.

Read alsoUkraine’s Antonov offers its aircraft for Trump’s Air Force OneThe aircraft was "propelled by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW150 engines, with six-bladed Dowty Propellers Company R408 propellers; the fully digital avionics system was delivered by Honeywell, while the life support system was provided by the Liebherr company.

UNIAN memo. State-owned Antonov is the manufacturer of cargo and passenger aircraft, as well as special purpose aircraft. Among the company`s most recognized projects are the An-32, An-148, An-158, An-74, An-124, An-70 and An-225.