KIEV, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine's state-run defense production giant Ukroboronprom has won the tender for Peru's military transport aircraft purchase, its press office reported on Wednesday.
According to Ukroboronprom's general director Pavlo Bukin, the Ukrainian An-178 has beaten the C-27 Spartan and Airbus' C-295, and will replace the An-32B, which was used in Peru before.
He said Peru may become the first export training ground for a new aircraft created by Ukroboronprom, adding that the bid was won due to the professionalism and perseverance of Ukroboronprom's contractors and the legendary reliability of the trademark.
The An-178 multi-purpose transport aircraft was developed at the Antonov state enterprise, which is part of the Ukroboronprom group. About 200 companies from 15 countries are involved in joint production under the An-178 program.
The An-178 flight altitude is 12 km, the range is 5,500 km, and its maximum speed is 825 km per hour. The aircraft has a modified fuselage shape, a ramp for loading and unloading oversized cargo and is capable of transporting up to 18 tons of cargo, including heavy sea containers. It can land and take off from any airfields, including unpaved ones.
Ukroboronprom state arms producing group includes over 130 Ukrainian defense industry enterprises.
