An-178 aircraft contract for Armed Forces: Government makes upfront payment

The Ukrainian government has already made initial upfront payments under a contract for three An-178 transport aircraft required by the country's Armed Forces.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced this during his first one-year report on the government's performance under his leadership, according to Defense Express.

"For the first time since independence, the government is purchasing from the state-owned Antonov Company three new domestically-built An-178 transport aircraft for use by our Armed Forces. [Relevant] contracts have been signed and initial payments have been made," the prime minister said.

The payments in question are presumably those transferred by Ukreximbank to Antonov Company under a UAH 2.98 billion government-guaranteed, four-year line of credit signed on December 31 last year.

The government has thus fulfilled its pledges regarding support for the country's flagship aircraft manufacturer and the modernization of Ukraine's active military aircraft fleet.

op