Representatives of the Antonov state aircraft manufacturing enterprise have discussed the possibility of expanding cooperation on the project for construction of the An-178 transport aircraft with the China Airspace company (China).

The CFTS portal reported this, citing the Liga Biznes publication.

According to Antonov’s President Oleksandr Kotsuba, "they (the Chinese) simultaneously with the An-225 project have pledged to advance money for production of the An-178. It will run parallel to the project. This is a large transport corporation, and they need such aircraft for use in their transport hubs."

He was speaking about the memorandum on production of 25 An-178 plans that was signed last year.

As the CFTS earlier reported, a plan for cooperation between Ukraine and China under the An-178 program is stipulated in the protocol of intent that was signed by the Chinese Beijing A-Star Aerospace Technology Co. and the Antonov state aircraft manufacturing enterprise during a ceremony commemorating the maiden flight of the An-178 in Kyiv on 7 May 2015.