Aircraft
India To Attempt Local Overhaul of Troubled An-32 Fleet
Ukraine-Russia split prevents finish of Antonov upgrade; MTA project to replace An-32s also founders.
The Indian air force hopes that a commercial MRO can help keep its Anotonov An-32s in service. (Photo: Antonov)
The Indian air force hopes that a commercial MRO can help keep its Anotonov An-32s in service. (Photo: Antonov)

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will issue a request for proposal (RFP) next month for the overhaul of 20 Antonov An-32 airlifters to independent Indian maintenance repair and overhaul providers. The move follows problems with an upgrade by the OEM in Ukraine, on the heels of deteriorating relations between that country and Russia. Meanwhile, a long-planned Indo-Russian project to eventually replace the IAF’s 105-strong fleet of An-32s has stalled.