The Antonov state aircraft manufacturing enterprise (Kyiv) and the Taqnia Aeronautics company (Saudi Arabia) have signed an agreement on cooperation in organizing production of new An-132 multipurpose aircraft with a payload of 9.2 tons in Saudi Arabia. The Interfax Ukraine news agency reported this, citing the press service of Antonov.

The document was signed during the AFED 2016 international aviation exhibition, which is taking place in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) from 21 February to 28.

The agreement also outlines the two sides’ concrete plans for delivery, organization of operation, an after-sales support for An-132, An-148, and An-178 aircraft.

As reported, in April 2015 the Antonov state aircraft manufacturing enterprise concluded an agreement with KACST (Saudi Arabia) on cooperation on joint development and production of An-132 aircraft, which is a modernized version of the An-32 aircraft. Under the agreement, the Ukrainian side will transfer technologies for production of An-32 aircraft to Saudi Arabia and train its specialists.

The Antonov state aircraft manufacturing enterprise, Taqnia, the UkrNIIAT institute, Altis Holding (Ukraine), and Broetje-Automation (Germany) signed a protocol of intent to design and build an aircraft manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia during the 51st Paris international air show, Le Bourget 2015, in June 2015.

Taqnia Aeronautic is a subsidiary of Taqnia, a Saudi technology development and investment company owned by the state investment fund and financed by the Saudi Council on Economic Relations and Development. The council is headed by the defense minister, Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Taqnia Aeronautics deals with transfer and development of technology, as well as in investments in support for and development of the Saudi economy.

According to preliminary estimates, the domestic need of Saudi Arabia and its security forces for multipurpose An-132 aircraft and its modifications is estimated at about 80. The market demand for the new An-132 aircraft in the period until 2025 is estimated at more than 200.