An-32 | |
---|---|
An-32 of AirMark at Singapore Changi Airport (2011). | |
Role | Transport |
National origin | Soviet Union/Ukraine |
Design group | Antonov |
Built by | Aviant |
First flight | 9 July 1976 |
Status | Operational |
Primary users |
Indian Air Force National Air Force of Angola Sri Lanka Air Force Ukrainian Air Force |
Produced | 1976–present |
Number built | 361 |
Unit cost |
US$ 15 million
|
Developed from | Antonov An-26 |
Developed into | Antonov/Taqnia An-132 |
The Antonov An-32 (NATO reporting name: Cline) is a twin-engined turboprop military transport aircraft.
The An-32 is essentially a re-engined An-26. The launch customer was the Indian Air Force, which ordered the aircraft partly due to good relations between then USSR leader Leonid Brezhnev and then India leader Indira Gandhi. The An-32 is designed to withstand adverse weather conditions better than the standard An-26. The high placement of the engine nacelles above the wing allowed for larger diameter propellers, which are driven by 5,100 hp rated Ivchenko AI-20 turboprop engines, providing almost twice the power of the An-26's AI-24 powerplants. Estimated price for a modernised An-32 version is 15 million US dollars.
The An-32 has excellent takeoff characteristics in hot and high conditions, (up to + 55 °C (131 °F; 328 K) and 4,500 m (14,800 ft) elevation suitable for use as a medium tactical military transport roles as well as commercial roles. Operating as a cargo transport over the short and medium range air routes, the An-32 is suitable for air-dropping cargo, passenger carrying, medevac, firefighting, skydiving or paratrooping roles.
More than 240 An-32 aircraft are being operated in the countries around the world.
In July 2016, a total of 25 Antonov An-32 aircraft remain in airline service. The largest operator is Aero Transporte S.A (ATSA) of Peru with four aircraft. Some 16 other airlines operate smaller numbers of the type.
Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1988–89
General characteristics
Performance