The Ukrainian state-owned aircraft manufacturer Antonov, which part of the UkrOboronProm concern, has successfully displayed the concepts and newly designed and produced transport aircraft at the Dubai Airshow in UAE.
During the exhibition, the Antonov has displayed new AN-132D and AN-70 aircraft and unveiled project of new AN-178 and an improved version of AN-70 aircraft, called AN-77. The company seeks to get rid of Russian components in its new aircraft and hopes to export the aircraft to the Middle East region.
According to a source in the concern UkrBoronProm, new Ukrainian aircraft have already become interested in the UAE, Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
More: Antonov An-132D to make Middle East debut at Dubai Airshow
The UAE has already expressed its interest in the probable purchases of medium-sized military transport aircraft, An-77, an upgraded version of the An-70 short takeoff and landing aircraft. The aircraft will be developed in two modifications for military and commercial organizations.
The project of An-77 with a maximum lifting capacity of 47 tons, received high praise from specialists. It is an improved version will manufacture without Russian components and will receive modern Avionics and airborne systems.
More: Ukraine sees opportunities for An-178 medium transport aircraft in Middle East
Also, Antonov hopes to add an international customer for its An-178 medium transport aircraft later this year. Now, just as in the case of the An-70, work is underway to get rid of the Russian components.
The new aircraft will progressively replace Antonov An-12 (1400 aircraft were delivered) and Transall C-160 transport aircraft (214 aircraft were delivered). The AN-178 is medium transport multipurpose aircraft of the family AN-148/-158 (avionics and systems from AN-148/AN-158).
In the An-178 aircraft, have already expressed interest customers from Kuwait and Iraq.
Ukraine aims to attract foreign manufacturers to mutual cooperation and demonstrate the prospects of Ukrainian defense industry to investors in all segments.