11/22/08

Aviation Industry in Ukraine

Iran to Purchase and Produce Ukrainian AN-148 Aircraft

By Nova Mova from Internet sources.

At the end of October, Iranian officials indicated a strong intention to purchase and later produce a licensed version of Ukraine’s Anotov AN-148 medium-range passenger jet aircraft.

Dmitro Khiva, chairman of the Anotov Aerospace Center in Kyiv, said that discussions with Iran have focused on adapting the plane for Iranian flight and ground conditions.  Anotov would initially sell a number of planes to Iran, and then license the Iranians to produce the aircraft domestically.  Iran already cooperates with Ukraine in production and operation of the AN-140 short-range turboprop aircraft.

“The Iranians are definitely interested, and they want to move forward with this project, Khiva said.  “Eventually, they will fully participate in production of the AN-148.”

The AN-148 is a newly designed aircraft that Anotov hopes will help the company become more competitive in the global aviation market.  Iran’s commitment to participate in the AN-148 program would be extremely significant for Ukraine’s struggling aerospace industry, which has struggled to find customers since Ukraine became independent in the early 1990s.  Anotov faces stiff competition from American and European companies, especially Boeing and Air Bus.

The AN-148 is a twin-jet, high-wing passenger and cargo aircraft designed to be able to operate from rough airfields.  Development of the aircraft began in the 1990s, and the single flying prototype was certified in 2007.  To date, some 16 Ukrainian, Russian and Cuban airlines have placed orders for the new aircraft, and more than 50 of the planes are on order through 2012.

Havana-based Cubania Airlines is scheduled to receive the first three planes, but an exact delivery date has not yet been set.  Once in production, the AN-148 will sell for between US$18 and $22 million depending on configuration.

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