A formal partnership agreement between the German, Russian and Ukrainian aerospace companies pushing the Antonov An-70 as a platform for a future European medium transport aircraft is expected to be signed this month.
The deal would clear the way for an An-70 sales and marketing joint venture to be set up this year if Germany selects the Westernised version of the aircraft - called the An-7X - over the rival Airbus Military A400M.
The Russian and Ukrainian firms participating in the An-70 programme have formed a consortium called Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA), which is linking with German consortium Airtruck to push the An-70 in Germany.
Airtruck was formally established last month and comprises eight companies with several more expected to join soon. The consortium is responsible for planning and co-ordinating the modifications that would have to be introduced in the An-7X, such as a two-crew flightdeck.
"During the last two months we have carried out a lot of work to complete the co-operation model with our Airtruck partners," says MTA general director Leonid Terentyev.
Russia and Ukraine have a joint requirement for more than 250 An-70s and are funding the flight test programme, although questions remain over how they will pay for the aircraft which they intend to purchase.
MTA submitted bids this year to Germany, France, Italy and Spain, all of which require medium transports and are expected to decide between the A400M, Lockheed Martin C-130J, Boeing C-17 and An-7X by the end of this year.
Germany is seen as the most promising sales prospect following an evaluation of the An-70 carried out by DaimlerChrysler Aerospace on behalf of the government, which determined that the aircraft could be modified to meet joint European staff requirements. The country, which needs around 75 aircraft to replace Transall C-160s, is also keen to build industrial links with CIS countries.
A decision to buy the An-7X would be politically controversial as it would jeopardise the yet-to-be-launched A400M, which would have to be bought in relatively large numbers to be economically viable.
Russian certification of the An-70 is planned for 2002, with 180 test flights completed to date.
Source: Flight International
