First of five overhauled aircraft for carrier (174 words)

Published: 8/28/2001

On 24th August, Polyot took delivery of its first ex-military An-124 converted to An-124-100 standard at a ceremony in Ulyanovsk. According to Polyot, $20m has been spent on the refurbishment of the aircraft, which had amassed 1400 flight hours before being grounded and cannibalized for parts by the Russian Air Force. The overhaul, which includes four new ZMKB D-18T Series 3 engines and avionics, allows the aircraft to meet ICAO Stage III noise requirements and air safety requirements. The next ex-air force Ruslan will be delivered in October, with a further three in 2002, including two in the An-124-100VS version for the Air Launch rocket programme. Anatoly Karpov, General Manager of Polyot, estimates the cost of bringing the five aircraft into service at $60m. These will be transferred to the carrier by the government for the Air Launch programme and funded by a consortium of Russian banks, led by Vneshtorgbank, and from Polyot's own resources.

Article ID: 2726