The main phase of one of the biggest contracts in the history of Ukraine’s military and technological cooperation — the modernization of the AN-32 aircraft for the Indian Air Force — is underway. This was preceded by talks that lasted for about seven years, and resulted in the signing of a $400 million contract (June 15, 2009) on the upgrading of 105 AN-32 planes.
Under the contract the first 40 aircraft will be repaired in Ukraine and the remaining 65 at the Indian Air Force facility, BRD-1, in Kanpur. The first five planes landed at Kyiv Airport on March 4. On March 12 the aircraft were ceremoniously towed to the aircraft repair facility DP Zavod 410 TsA. The upgrading process will involve the design and development facility DP Antonov, and other Ukrainian aviation industry enterprises.
The AN-32 upgrading contract with India is the second largest in the history of independent Ukraine’s military cooperation. Indian sources indicate that is the biggest contract made by the Indian Air Force last year.
The Indian Air Force command decided to upgrade the AN-32 because there was no adequate replacement for this model. “These planes have operated in India for 25 years, despite being originally purchased for only 15 years of service life. They were used as cargo planes to make deliveries to airfields high in the mountains and operated at over fifty degrees Centigrade. The Indian Air Force command estimated it would be better to accept Ukraine’s proposal and extend this aircraft’s service life for 15 years rather than start a new production line for this kind of mission,” said Indian Ambassador to Ukraine Debabrata Saha during a press conference at DP Zavod 410 TsA.
This AN-32 model was originally designed, as commissioned by the Indian government, for flying missions at high temperatures and landing on high altitude (up to 4,500 meters above sea-level) airfields. The AN-32 is often the only transport between high altitude populated areas, outposts, and big cities. At present, over 350 AN-32 planes are being effectively exploited by India, Sri Lanka, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, Afghanistan, and the CIS and African countries. This model’s high maneuverability and reliability has won it the name of “Silver Horse” in India.
According to the Ukrainian side, this modernization contract is extremely important for Ukraine’s aircraft businesses. It has a term of five years, will secure jobs in the industry, and envisages considerable inflows of money. “The initial cost of the contract between Ukraine and the Indian Air Force is 397.7 million dollars, but this contract will evolve. Another 110 million is already being added for the manufacture of 100 Motor Sich engines, and another addition of this kind is being considered. Moreover, a total of 350 AN-32s were manufactured, so this contract for the upgrading of 105 Indian aircraft can serve as a basis for the modernization of other aircraft,” says DP Zavod 410 TsA’s Director General Serhii Podreza. He stresses that his is a unique facility, the only one equipped to repair AN-24, AN-26, AN-30, and AN-32 models.
The modernized planes provide better crew conditions, upgraded aircraft protection systems, reinforced wing mounting, higher maximum payload level, and a number of state-of-the-art onboard control systems. The AN-32 designers emphasize that this model, having served the Indian Air Force for 25 years, will be upgraded at a comparatively low price. “We chose the onboard equipment based on quality, cost, and cost-effectiveness. Thus, the AN-32’s onboard systems will be mainly European and American. Above all, however, we were interested in Ukrainian-made equipment, naturally manufacturers that meet European quality standards,” says DP Antonov’s Director General Dmytro Kiva.
All AN-32 upgrading works will be done by a joint team of DP Zavod 410 TsA and DP Antonov experts, monitored by Indian inspectors. The first five planes arrived along with a delegation of Indian army officers and their families. They will be monitoring the Ukrainian aircraft facility.
