Ukrspecexport state-run company told Interfax-Ukraine that first five ungraded planes have left for Kanpur (North India) from India. It is expected that the planes will arrive to India in 5-6 days.
Equipment to develop aircraft repair facilities in India was also shipped along with the aircraft.
"The contract is being realized according to schedule. India highly appreciates the quality of the work done by Ukrainian companies and new flying characteristics of upgraded An-32 aircraft," the company told Interfax-Ukraine.
By late 2011 another ten An-32 aircraft will be delivered to the customer, the company said.
The acceptance document for the first batch was signed by India on May 18.
The contract, worth some $400 million, involves repairing and modernizing 103 An-32 aircraft of Indian Air Force. It was signed in July 2009 between the Indian Air Force and Spectechnoexport, which won a respective tender announced in December 2007. Ukraine's Antonov Plant and Civil Aviation Plant 410 are executing the contract.
According to the contract, 40 airplanes are to be modernized in Ukraine and the rest of aircraft at the BRD-1 aviation plant of the Indian Air Force in Kanpur (North India).
As a part of the upgrade, the Indian aircraft will be fitted with around 25 types of modern equipment made in Ukraine and other countries. The equipment increases flight safety.
The upgraded An-32 will be able to land according to the ICAO category II approach. Fuel consumption and the mass of the empty upgraded aircraft will be lower compared to the basic model.
In addition, in line with a three-year contract worth $110 million signed in December 2009 by OJSC Motor Sich (Zaporizhia) and the Indian Air Force, the AI-20 engines of the Indian An-32s are to be upgraded.
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