Article Posted on : - Jun 28, 2012

MOSCOW (BNS): Russia has confirmed its plan to buy Antonov An-70 propfan tactical transport aircraft when Ukraine fixes all flaws in the design indicated by Russian experts.

A Ria Novosti report quoting Air Force Commander Maj. Gen Viktor Bogdanov said, the Ukrainian side has promised to finish the remaining work on the (An-70) plane in the near future.

The report said previous disagreements on the purchase had been caused by flaws in the design of the plane which Ukraine promised to fix in line with Russia's requirements.

The Ukrainian-designed An-70 is being built together with Russia. The Antonov Company first tested a prototype An-70 in 1994. The project suffered a series of setbacks including problems with the propfan engine and two crashes involving prototypes. Russia pulled out of the project in 2006 but it later rejoined the programme.