Antonov Design Bureau is preparing for a new production cycle at the adjacent KiGAZ Aviant aircraft manufacturing factory, following an investment in excess of $200 million in the three years since taking over the facility

Starting in 2012, the plant will produce 12 An-148 and An-158 jets. President and general designer Dmitry Kiva disclosed the figure to Flightglobal at MAKS, the Moscow air show.

The investment is largely from Antonov's earnings on design services rendered to Chinese, Indian and Russian partners and from commercial operations of An-124 freighters on the international market for outsized cargo transportation.

The Kiev factory, designated an Antonov serial production plant, will specialise in the An-148 and An-70 programmes, as production of the An-32 transport is going to close after Afghan and Indian orders are completed.

Five An-32s have been delivered to the Indian air force after upgrade and lifetime extension, while six An-32s destined for the Afghan government are in final assembly.

Source: Flight International