The Antonov An−178 transport plane, which completed its maiden flight on May 7 will be license produced in China.
An agreement on joint serial production in China was signed between Antonov and Beijing A−Star Science & Technology Company along with purchase agreement for two aircraft.
During the event, Mr. Wang Hongliang, Director General of Beijing A−Star Science & Technology Company, said “We think that the An−178 is a very good aircraft and it has big perspectives at the Chinese market. We are going to purchase two aircraft, and then to organize production of the An−178 in China”.
The An−178 is designed to replace the ageing An-12 fleet which entered service in 1960s. China currently operates and still produces reverse engineered copies of An-12 called the Shaanxi Y-8.
The An-178 is equipped with a cargo ramp. Besides, landing rear is equipped with a kneeling system to reduce an angle of running upon a ramp.
The An-178 features reduced operational cost than the An-12 due to two Ivenchenko Progress D-436 turbofan engine instead of the four AI-20 engine in An-12. Besides, a flight crew of the An-178 is three crew members against six in An-12.
The An-178 has a pressurised cargo compartment which allow carriage of passengers. The airlifter can operate from poorly equipped airfields with unpaved runways.
Azerbaijan based Silk Way Airlines has signed agreement to purchase 10 An-178s to replacing its An-12 fleet cargo fleet.
