Article Posted on : - Aug 05, 2010

A file photo.

NEW DELHI (BNS): India and Ukraine have signed a contract on modernisation of one hundred and five AN-32 fleet of Indian Air Force (IAF).

In a written reply to members' questions, Defence Minister A K Antony informed the Rajya Sabha that India signed a deal with Ukraine for total life extension of the An-32 fleet.

According to a news release by the Indian Ministry of Defence, the contract was signed on June 15, 2009 for Total Life Extension, Overhaul and Re-equipment of AN-32 fleet of Indian Air Force. The up-to-date equipment which will be fitted on the aircraft during modernisation includes avionics and hydraulic systems, etc.

"The up-to-date equipment which will be fitted on the aircraft during the modernisation induce avionics and hydraulic systems," he said.

With this programme, India expects to increase the life of the aircraft by 15 years. With this upgrade, the 105 AN-32s of the IAF would serve for a total of 40 years since its induction about three decades ago.

AN-32s are the workhorses of the IAF, which uses these aircraft for air maintenance of Indian troops in inaccessible areas such as Siachen and high altitude bases such as Leh.