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The AN-32 cargo aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will be upgraded by Ukraine under a deal signed between the two countries. The current upgradation of the AN-32 cargo aircraft is part of the mass modernization drive for 105 AN-32 cargo aircraft with the IAF.
Under the deal, the Ukraine firm Spetstekhnoexport, a subsidiary of Ukrspetsexport state company, will modernise the 105 AN-32 cargo aircraft of the Indian Air Force. Antonov Aircraft Company, headquartered at Kiev, will give the 20-tonne-capacity aircraft a full upgrade of on-board communications and navigation systems.
According to Indian Defence Ministry sources, the contract is being given without bidding or competition to the Ukrainian company Antonov Aircraft Company as Original Equipment Manufacturers. The fleet of the AN –32 cargo aircraft was procured in the 1980s from Ukraine during the erstwhile USSR era. According to a spokesperson from the Ukraine Embassy in New Delhi, Ukraine reserves the right to not only produce the Antonov series of transport aircraft but also to service them.
As for the upgrade of the AN-32 cargo aircraft, it will be done in two phases, with the first lot being upgraded in Ukraine and the second lot being upgraded in India by 2013. A total number of 100 AN -32 cargo aircraft will be upgraded by the Ukrainian company. The upgrade of the AN-32 will improve the avionics systems, increase the engine life, the range of the aircraft and its payload from 6.7 tonnes to 7.5 tonnes so that the aircraft is operational with the IAF for another 2 decades. Some of the AN-32 aircraft will also be upgraded with systems to enable them to carry out maritime patrol functions as well.
Currently, Indian military relies heavily on the AN-32 transport aircraft and the IL-76 transport aircraft for lifting of troops, carrying cargo and supplies to harsh high altitude regions and other logistic assignments.
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