15 Iranian customers express interest(170 words)

Published: 1/25/2001

The first serially produced IRAN-140 (Iranian licensed An-140) has apparently been rolled out of the HESA facility, in Ishfahan (outside Tehran). Ali Hojjati, the Minister of Transport said that the first aircraft was completed in September 2000 and was expected to fly at the end of March 2001. The Ministry of Defence did suggest the aircraft could be in service as early as February 2001. Recent media reports say that the plane has been rolled out and is to undergo ground tests, prior to flying during Iran's celebration of its revolution - the “Ten days of Dawn”, between 31st January and 10th February. The Iranian Voice of the Islamic Republic says the aircraft will sell for approx. $8.5m. There are 15 Iranian companies already interested in it. The contract between Iran and the Ukraine is for the production of up to 12 aircraft over twenty years, with production of twelve aircraft targeted for 2004. The Ukrainian partners in the Iran venture, Antonov and KhGAPP (at Kharkov), were reluctant to confirm the Iranian flight schedule.

Article ID: 2320