Enough engines for 2-3 years (190 words)

Published: 4/17/2001

The delays in the certification of the An-70 after its crash earlier this year have resulted in reports of a wind down of the production of the aircraft's D-27 turbofan. According to sources the 20 engines currently available in varying states of completion is enough to meet the needs of the programme for the next two to three years.Despite government comments to the contrary, the future of the programme continues to look difficult. Finding the $30m reported to be required for the completion of the engine's certification has been a struggle for the engine's designer and producers. ZMKB Progress has been providing finance for some time investing $1m in April of 2000. Recently, Progress's Russian partner UMPO from Ufa has withdrawn from the programme with the suggestion that they could not see the payback on the programme and have been replaced by Motorstroitel. The belief that 20 of the $3m engines (although recently reported to be $2.5m) are adequate, suggests that the recent order from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence for five of the four engined aircraft, will not involve quick delivery. The contract was also reported to have been struck at $40m per aircraft; almost 20% below previously reported prices.

Article ID: 2489