KYIV, Ukraine: April 04, 2017: Antonov Airlines has begun a test flight program for a new AN-132D multipurpose aircraft destined for use in Saudi Arabia.

The AN−132 program is being developed in cooperation with the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and the Тaqnia Aeronautics Company.

According to the manufacturer, the turboprop aircraft has a 9.2 tonnes payload and is designed to carry raw materials, bulk and ULD cargo, plus self−propelled vehicles for both commercial and humanitarian use.

Last year Antonov president Mykhaylo Gvozdov and Ali Mohammed Al−Ghamdi, CEO of Taqnia Aeronautics, signed an agreement to establish AN−132 production and additional after-sale support in Saudi Arabia for the AN−148 commercial passenger or freighter aircraft, and its AN−178 military variant.

"It is very important event in our cooperation with partners from Saudi Arabia. This document could be considered as the roadmap for our interaction by joint programmes," said Gvozdov.

According to the manufacturer, the AN-178 has completed 115 test flights and recently tested various pallets and ULD modules up to 96 x 125 inches.