RIYADH – King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) announced an industrial technology alliance with the Ukraine aviation giant Antonov together with the Saudi Aviation Technology Company to develop and manufacture multipurpose-aircraft in the Kingdom. According to the deal, KACST and Antonov will develop the Antonov aircraft (model AN-32) as an advanced aircraft with highly sophisticated engines and electronic systems, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Dr. Turki Bin Saud, president of KACST, said that the alliance is aimed at manufacturing aircraft, transfer of aircraft manufacturing technology, and acquiring expertise from international aviation manufacturing giants to train Saudis in aviation technology and sciences. He made the remarks while addressing a joint press conference with Antonov Chief Dmitry Kiva, Retd.; Maj. Gen. Ali Al-Ghamdi, CEO of Saudi Aviation Technology Company, and other senior officials at KACST headquarters. Dr. Turki said Saudi Arabia will have all engineering designing and intellectual property rights of the new model of the aircraft, which is expected to operate experimentally in the Kingdom within one and a half years from now. The fuel saving light aircraft, which could be used for civilian and military purposes, is ideal for short domestic trips. It has the capability for landing and takeoff in different environments. According to KACST chief, aviation experts from Antonov will give training to young Saudi cadets and the Kingdom will benefit from the company's vast expertise spanning over six decades. “The deal is designed to meet the Kingdom's requirements for light transport aircraft for civilian and military purposes and upgrading cargo planes, in addition to use them as air ambulance as well as for air surveillance. Kiva said Antonov decided to manufacture A-32 aircraft after carrying out studies about the Kingdom's needs for light transport planes for civilian and military purposes. As many as 78 countries have so far benefited from the company's different models of transport aircraft, that started manufacturing 60 years ago. Antonov, a state-owned commercial company, is famous for manufacturing short-takeoff-and-landing transport airplanes that are capable of operating on unprepared and unpaved runways and in hard-to-reach locations. The aircraft manufacturing and services giant has so far built a total of around 22,000 aircraft. — SG
