Speculation mounts over Libyan interest and funding, but Antonov remains tight-lipped (249 words)

Published: 11/5/2001

Unconfirmed reports are emerging which suggest that ANTK Antonov has started work on a development of the An-38 and, apparently, the An-28, with two variants designated An-128-II and An-128-I respectively. Sources claim that the new aircraft will have a new wing, retractable landing gear and improved passenger cabin. There are also hints that the programme may be being funded by Libya, for the production of a reported 20 aircraft. While Libya has undoubtedly expressed interest in aircraft in this general category, with reports of Libyan funding of a production line in Austria for the MiG-110A, the veracity of these claims remains to be seen. On the information to date, these particular reports seem somewhat fanciful given the costs involved and the size of the run reported. In the absence of Antonov's confirmation or denial, however, it is difficult to do more than speculate. However, in the rather warped world of Ukrainian aerospace planning, it is quite possible, given the current record on other projects. Any programme of this kind would have to overcome two basic hurdles: first, the An-38 has been a less than conspicuous success, so a more developed version appears to be commercially risky. Second, the An-28, in the form of the M-28 Skytruck, has already been well developed by PZL-Mielec that owns the rights to the An-28 and is reported to have a “plus” version under development.

Article ID: 2886