Saudi-Ukrainian team develops sleek aircraft

JEDDAH — King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology launched the first model of the AN-132 multi-function airplane on Tuesday. A source said Saudi engineers collaborated with their Ukrainian counterparts to design and build the new airplane. “It took 20 months to bring the aircraft into a reality. The team that worked on the airplane included 50 engineers from various fields. King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology owns 50 percent of the project›s patent. The launching took place in the Ukrainian capital Kiev and it was attended by the Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and KACST President Prince Turki Bin Saud,” said the source. The source also said the lightweight aircraft that can fly at 28,000 feet and has a capacity to carry 9.2 tons has many features, including the ability to land on uneven runway. “The airplane can cross 4,500 km with the speed of 550 km an hour. It is fully equipped with the latest technical and military technology. The project came as a result of the city’s agreement with the Ukraine›s Antonov Company,” said the source. The source also said the agreement was a part of the KACST’s contribution to the Kingdom›s 2020 development plan. “The city aims to empower national production of airplanes. The Saudi Company for Development and Investment worked with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology on this project. Antonov Company transferred the needed technology,” said the source. He said the airplane will be the first Saudi-Ukrainian airplane to hit the skies of Saudi Arabia in early 2017. The source also said nationalizing the production of airplanes will open more employment opportunities for Saudi individuals and more work opportunities for companies in both the private and public sectors. The first airplane to ever land in Saudi Arabia was in 1945 with the Kingdom›s founder King Abdul Aziz on board. The airplane was a Douglas DC3 Dakota and it landed in Afif. The airplane was presented to the king by then US President Roosevelt after their historic Suez Canal meeting.