Ukroboronprom, Ukraine’s state-owned defence industry holding group,  will be unveiling a new An-132D transport aircraft in December 2016.

“In December we will present new aircraft An-132”,- said director general of Ukroboronprom Roman Romanov.

The AN-132D will be the first prototype of the A-132 turboprop light transport aircraft, which is slated to replace the AN-32 and AN-26. The An-132 program is implemented by Antonov in cooperation with KACST and Taqnia Aeronautics Co for Saudi Arabia.

A contract signed by KACST and Antonov in April 2015 marked the beginning of the AN-132 development programme. The An-32 platform was preferred after studying the requirements of Saudi Arabia and the global market for light transport aircraft in the military and civil sectors.

Taqnia Aeronautics Company, a subsidiary of Saudi Company for Technological Development and Investment (TAQNIA), signed an agreement with Antonov in May 2015 to develop and manufacture the AN-132 light cargo planes in Saudi Arabia.

Under the agreement, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Taqnia Aeronautics Company and Antonov will redevelop the existing An-32 aircraft to produce a new variant with improved payload and range characteristics. The agreement will also enable transfer of the technology to Saudi Arabia.

KACST Director Khalid A. Almalki said at the Farnborough International Airshow Trade 2016 said that Saudi Arabia is preparing the required infrastructure under the An-132 aircraft program.

“Today we are focused on building test aircraft An-132 to present it on the market. We are also designing and preparing infrastructure required for it, including composite materials,” he said.