Ukrainian president Leonid Kuchma has issued an order to support the country's aircraft industry. About $350 million is to be allocated in the 2000 state budget to produce five Antonov An-70 propfan transports and 25 Progress/Motor Sich D-27 engines. Building production standard aircraft will allow the completion of certification flying, which is 85% complete. Only one An-70, the second prototype, is flying. All five aircraft are due for delivery by 2003. The Russian air force is close to funding a similar number of An-70s and engines.
Source: Flight International