An-70 due for discussion between Russia and Ukraine

Published: 2/21/2000

The much discussed order from the Russian Air Force for the An-70 may move a step closer this month, with the Russian-Ukrainian Interstate Commission on Cooperation due to discuss the aircraft"s production. According to the General Director of "Srednetransportny Samolyet" (Medium-haul Aircraft), Leonid Terentyev, on 4th December 1999, the Russian government expressed a desire to buy 164 D-27 powered An-70s at a price of $40-50m per unit over a number of years. Political changes within Russia over the last six weeks may make confirmation of the order more likely, given the focus of Putin"s administration on the restoration of the armed forces" capability. As with other air forces in the west, some of which are reviewing the westernized An-70X, the provision of reliable lift capability is a priority, particularly as the recent events in Chechnya must have further reduced the viability of the aging VTA fleet of 300 Il-76s. Plans have recently emerged, however, to re-engine the Il-76, on the basis that it can deliver much of the performance of the D-27 powered An-70 at a substantially lower price.

Article ID: 1448