Turkey’s Antalya has hosted the largest regional aviation event the Eurasia Airshow. The Eurasia Airshow, which opened April 25 and closes April 28, attracted commercial and defense actors from Turkey’s NATO allied countries as well as Ukraine, Russia, and Iran to the 300,000 square meters of exhibition space at Antalya International Airport.

More than 100 aircraft were displayed, but exactly Ukrainian AN-77, AN-178 transport aircraft and project of new jointly AN-188 cargo plane have become a real sensation of Eurasia Airshow.

That was reported by Ukrainian Center for Defence Initiatives.

The Ukrainian State Enterprise “Antonov” has unveiled a new version of four-engine medium-range transport aircraft called the AN-77 and AN-178 short-range medium-airlift transport aircraft at the Eurasia 2018 Airshow. Also for the first time, was publicly showed the model of new An-188 transport aircraft.

Ukraine-made planes have become an international sensation and were drawn attention from media and experts. Also flying of An-77 and AN-178 has caused a furore on social media.

As for the aircraft themselves, the AN-77 is an updated version of AN-70 medium-range transport aircraft which is offered for export customers. It designed to replace the outdated AN-12 and Il-76 military transport aircraft. On AN-77 bases also will be developed new AN-188 aircraft is a jet engine powered version of the Antonov AN-70 transport plane currently powered by four Ivchenko progress D-27 engines.

The program was demonstrated to the official delegation of Turkey, headed by Dr.Ismail Demir, Undersecretary for Defense Industries, who was the first one to visit the stand of Ukrainian delegation. The demonstration was performed by Sergii Omelchenko, First Deputy Director General of the SC “Ukroboronprom”, and Dr. Oleksandr Los, Acting President of ANTONOV Company.

“This Turkish-Ukrainian project is one of the top programs, represented by us at Eurasia-2018”, said Oleksandr Los’. In turn, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Turkey Andrii Sybiha mentioned that such programs are “strategic partnership in action.”

Ukraine offers Turkey joint AN-188 medium-range transport aircraft production and jointly to promote in an international market. Antonov plans to power the aircraft by western turbofan engines.

Volodymyr Shmyrov, Director of the AN-188 program, told about wide spectrum of tasks to be performed by the advances military transport with payload up to 50t. In particular, spesious cargo compartment, volume of which exceeds those of A400M and C-130J enable to carry practically the whole range of military and engineering vehicles, helicopters, up to 300 troops, as well as humanitarian cargoes, pallets and containers. The aircraft is equipped to provide pinpoint aerial delivery of paratroops, cargo items waiting up to 21t, cargoes weighting up to 35t. The AN-188 will be able to operate from/to runways of 600-800m length at different airfields including unpaved aerodromes.

The AN -178 is medium transport multipurpose aircraft of the family AN -148/-158 (avionics and systems from AN-148/AN-158).

This new Ukrainian transport aircraft has a maximum payload capacity of 18 000 kg. In terms of payload capacity it is similar to a C-130 Hercules. The AN-178 has a pressurized cargo hold. In troops transport role it can carry 90 passengers, or 70 paratroopers, or 68 litters with medical attendants. Alternatively, it can carry three 4×4 light utility vehicles, such as HMMWV, or two standard shipping containers.

Moreover, during Eurasia 2018 Airshow, was learned that Turkish National policy and Gendarmerie showed interest in Ukrainian AN-178 medium transport multipurpose aircraft. The Antonov’s press services noted that, the AN-178 displayed at the airshow performed flight with representatives of Turkish National policy and Gendarmerie, which are potential customers of the aircraft.