The Antonov state aircraft manufacturing enterprise has proposed new projects involving military transport aircraft to NATO, the press service of Antonov announced. Antonov’s President/General Designer Dmytro Kiva presented ideas on possible areas of cooperation with NATO on January 15 during a visit to Antonov by a NATO delegation headed by Assistant Secretary-General Patrick Auroy.
"The basis for this (cooperation) could be the programs for the An-70 military transport aircraft with short takeoff and landing, the new An-178 transport aircraft, which can be regarded as an effective replacement for the European C-160 twin-engine turboprop transport aircraft, joint creation of new, special modifications of the An-148/AN-158 aircraft, and further improvement of the world famous An-124-100 Ruslan transport aircraft," the press service said.
In addition, Antonov proposed using special-purpose aircraft based on the An-148, which will be able to perform observation flights with visual, photo, and hardware information gathering, under the Open Skies international program.
Antonov also proposed using a special squadron of An-32P multi-functional aircraft for performing the tasks of the NATO emergency response center. These aircraft can deliver humanitarian supplies (medicines, food, clothing, etc.) to the scene and perform medical evacuations and aerial firefighting, said the press service said. "The An-32P has proven its effectiveness, efficiency, and reliability in hot climates and at high altitudes while extinguishing fires in Spain, Portugal, and Ukraine," the press service said.
