The new Ukrainian short-range medium transport aircraft, the Antonov An-178, started this week a successful demonstration tour in the Middle East.

An-178 is a short-range medium-airlift military transport aircraft designed by the Ukrainian Antonov company and based on the Antonov An-158 (An-148-200) regional jet.

During the tour of the Middle East countries, a prototype of the An-178 medium transport aircraft conducted a demonstration flight in Kuwait with the participation of the local air force pilots, on October 30.

The State Enterprise “Antonov”, which is part of the State Concern “UkrOboronProm”,  hopes to add an international customer for its An-178 medium transport aircraft later this year. An-178 can use unpaved runways in hot and dusty environments. The aircraft will progressively replace Antonov An-12 (1400 aircraft were delivered) and Transall C-160 transport aircraft (214 aircraft were delivered).

The most important feature of the An−178 is an ability to carry all the type of the existing packaged freights (containerized and palletized ones), including high−capacity 1C containers (sea containers). This makes it an indispensable transport to provide logistic support in both commercial and military segments, as well as operations under emergency situations.

The aircraft can carry 99 soldiers, 80 paratroops or evacuate 70 sick and wounded persons. It can be used in a range of missions including logistic support of troops, parachute drooping of cargoes at platforms or small troop divisions, carrying of injured personnel, and transportation of light vehicles. It can also be used to transport and deliver equipment and engines.

The aircraft is fitted with digital avionics and a glass cockpit. It can fly in intensive air traffic, under VFR and IFR weather conditions both during the day and night times. It can take off and land on unpaved runways and pebble covered surfaces.