Russia is to withdraw its support from Antonov’s An-70 project and will leave Ukraine to develop the transport aircraft alone, says Russian air force commander-in-chief Gen Vladimir Mikhailov. Citing poor aircraft performance and Ukrainian ambitions to join NATO as contributory factors to the decision, Mikhailov says: “Kiev will reimburse Russia for funding contributed and then it will go into the market with the aircraft alone.” Moscow has previously provided 72% of development funding for the bilateral project.
Source: Flight International