The Antonov state enterprise (Kiev) has signed an agreement to participate in design and construction of an aircraft factory in Saudi Arabia, the press office of the state enterprise announced.

It is a five-way agreement. The partners in the project are Taqnia (Saudi Arabia), the Ukrainian Scientific Research Institute for Aviation Technology (UkrNII AT), Altis Holding (Ukraine), and Broetje-Automation (Germany).

The first aircraft to be constructed at the new aircraft plant will be the An-132 light transport aircraft.

The new An-132 aircraft is being created to replace the internationally renowned An-32 and An-26 aircraft. The project will be implemented with the participation of Pratt & Whitney Canada, General Electric, Honeywell, Liebher, and Hamilton Sundstrand. According to preliminary estimates, the future market demand for An-132 aircraft over the next 20 years is about 900.

"It is the only aircraft that can land on and take off from sand. It is a plane of the caliber that suits them," the Antonov state enterprise said.