Antonov An-32

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The Antonov An-32 (NATO reporting name: Cline) is a turboprop twin-engined military transport aircraft. Its first flight was in July 1976 and displayed at the 1977 Paris Air Show. It is oriented towards flying in adverse weather conditions, and was produced from 1980 to 2012, and remains in service. It is the fourth member of the Antonov An-24 family, succeeding the An-24, An-30 and An-26, and coming before the cancelled An-132.

Design and developmentEdit

The An-32 is essentially a re-engined An-26. It is designed to withstand adverse weather conditions better than the standard An-26. Announced at the May 1977 Paris Air Show, the An-32 is distinguished from its predecessor by engines raised 1.5 m above the wing in order to avoid foreign object damage on rough, unprepared airstrips.

The type features high-lift wings with automatic leading-edge slats, large triple-slotted trailing edge flaps and an enlarged tailplane and a very large increase in power, giving improved take-off performance and service ceiling. The high placement of the engine nacelles above the wing allowed for larger diameter propellers, which are driven by 5,100 hp rated Ivchenko AI-20 turboprop engines, providing almost twice the power of the An-26's AI-24 powerplants.<ref name="AirInternational" /><ref name="warfiles">Antonov An-32. "Ан нет, Ан есть. Украина «нашла» потерянные индийские Ан-32." [1] 20 April 2015.</ref>

Production from the Government Aircraft Factory in Kyiv, has included 123 aircraft for the Indian Air Force, which ordered the aircraft under strong foreign relations between then USSR leader Leonid Brezhnev and then India leader Indira Gandhi.<ref name="AirInternational" /><ref name="warfiles" />

The majority of production has been for the Russian and Ukrainian Air Forces, with around 40 per year being built during the late 1980s to early 1990s.<ref name="AirInternational" /> The estimated price for a modernised An-32 version is 15 million US dollars.<ref name="warfiles" />

The last An-32 was produced in 2012.Template:Citation needed

Production dataEdit

citation
Total	1976	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	2005	2007	2008	2010	2011	2012
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373	1	1	5	29	31	26	54	28	48	11	49	47	10	4	8	5	2	1	4	1	3	5

Operational historyEdit

The An-32 has outstanding takeoff characteristics in hot and high conditions, up to Template:Convert and Template:Convert elevation, and is suitable for use as a medium tactical military transport roles as well as commercial roles. Operating as a cargo transport over the short and medium range air routes, the An-32 is suitable for air-dropping cargo, passenger carrying, medevac, firefighting, skydiving or paratrooping roles.

The An-32 entered service in the 1980s and served with the air forces of Ukraine, Russia, Bangladesh Air Force, the Indian Air Force, the Iraqi Air Force, the Mexican Air Force and the Sudanese Air Force.Template:Citation needed

VariantsEdit

File:MNS An-32.jpg

A State Emergency Service of Ukraine An-32 firefighting aircraft dumps water on a forest fire.

An-32 : Twin-engined transport aircraft
An-32A : The first civil variant, the majority of the 36 aircraft built were delivered to various government factory enterprises, for use in transporting assemblies between plants.
An-32B : Improved version
An-32B-100 : Modernised version of the An-32B. Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) increased to 28.5 tons, payload increased to 7.5 tons.<ref name= "An-32"/>
An-32B-110 : New avionics allowing aircraft to be operated by two crew members. Metric (Russian) avionics variant.<ref name="aviant110">

"Kyiv Aviation Plant: 'Aviant' Аn-32B–110/120." Template:Webarchive aviant.ua. Retrieved: 12 November 2011. </ref>

An-32B-120 : Imperial (non-Russian) avionics variant of An-32B-110.<ref name="aviant110"/>
An-32B-300 : Version fitted with Rolls-Royce AE 2100 turboprop engines, providing 4,600 hp each.<ref>

"Kyiv Aviation Plant: 'Aviant' – An-32B-300." Template:Webarchive aviant.ua. Retrieved: 12 November 2011. </ref>

An-32LL (Letayushchaya Laboratoriya flying laboratory): The An-32 first prototype was equipped with a large SV-36P eight-bladed propeller and D-236 engine on the port side for testing, in place of the standard engine and propeller. The increased noise produced by the experimental installation (115-120 dB) outweighed the modest gains in performance.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

An-32MP : Marine Patrol version.<ref name="AN-32P"/>
An-32P Firekiller : Aerial firefighting version. Special category type certificate granted on 10 March 1995. A total of eight tons of liquid can be discharged from the two external tanks simultaneously or one after the other. Drops are conducted at 40–50 m above ground level and 240 to 260 km/h. Can be used as a cargo aircraft when not fighting fires.<ref name="AN-32P">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

An-32V-200 : A tactical transport/cargo aircraft outgrowth from the An-32B-100, with more modern avionics allowing two crew operation. Intended for export; despite reasonable interest few have been sold.
An-32 RE : Modernised version of the An-32B. MTOW increased to 28.5 tons, payload increased to 7.5 tons.<ref name="An-32">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> New avionics.

OperatorsEdit

File:S3-ACB Bangladesh Air Force An-32 (24081506344) (cropped).jpg

Bangladesh Air Force Antonov An-32 landing

File:An Antonov An-32 of the Indian Air Force.jpg

The IAF's Antonov An-32 transport aircraft, during the Republic Day Flypast 2024.

File:Sri Lankan Air Force Antonov An-32B SDS.jpg

Sri Lanka Air Force Antonov An-32B.

File:Sun Air Charter Antonov An-32 UA-320-1.jpg

Sun Air Charter An-32 at Lokichogio Airport.

File:Croatian AN-32B Ruzyne.jpg

Antonov An-32B of the Croatian Air Force.

File:Mexican Navy Antonov An-32B 2009 Belyakov.jpg

Mexican Navy Antonov An-32B taking off at Kyiv-Zhuliany in 2009.

Military operatorsEdit

Besides aircraft in service in the Ukrainian and Russian Air Forces, more than 240 An-32 aircraft are being operated in various countries around the world.

File:AN-32 cargo plane of the Afghan Air Force.jpg

An Antonov An-32 of the Afghan Air Force

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At least six were delivered to the Afghan Air Force from 1987. Three were used by the Taliban Air Force.<ref name="awst_20070115">"Aerospace Source Book 2007," Aviation Week & Space Technology, 15 January 2007.</ref><ref name="jane">Jane's Sentinel Security Assessment, 2001</ref> -2 Units Active in 2024.<ref name="World Air Forces 2025">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> Template:ANG

People's Air and Air Defence Force of Angola<ref name="fiwaf15 p32">Hoyle Flight International 8–14 December 2015, p. 32.</ref> Operates seven An-32.

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Bangladesh Air Force: Three aircraft received and currently in service with the 3 Squadron 'Unicorns'.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> Two An-32B & one An-32C.<ref name="fiwaf12 p46">Hoyle Flight International 11–17 December 2012, p. 46.</ref> Overhauled and upgraded with life extension by SE PLANT 410 CA of Ukraine.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Template:COL

Colombian National Army Aviation: Two An-32<ref name="fiwaf12 p49">Hoyle Flight International 11–17 December 2012, p. 49.</ref>

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Congolese Air Force: 2 in service<ref name="World Air Forces 2022">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> Template:ETH

Ethiopian Air Force: 1 in service<ref name="World Air Forces 2021">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> {{#invoke:flag||India}}

Indian Air Force: Bought 125 aircraft, ~105 are still in service. Entire fleet is undergoing modernization; 35 upgraded An-32s have been delivered by Ukrspetsexport.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> The upgrades include modern avionics equipment, new oxygen systems and improved crew seats. The remaining aircraft are being upgraded in India. These will be replaced with the Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> As of 2024, IAF has plans to upgrade another 60 An-32s within India by FY2028-29, at the rate of 15 per overhaul cycle, led by 1 Base Repair Depot, Kanpur and 3 Base Repair Depot, Chandigarh.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Template:IRQ

Iraqi Air Force: Six An-32B delivered from Ukraine between November 2011 and October 2012, initially used by the 23rd Squadron alongside C-130s. In May 2013, the 33rd Squadron was created to operate Iraq's An-32 fleet.<ref>Template:Harvnb</ref>

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Mexican Air Force: One An-32.<ref name="fiwaf12 p55">Hoyle Flight International 11–17 December 2012, p. 55.</ref>
Mexican Naval Aviation: One An-32B.<ref name="fiwaf12 p55"/>

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Peruvian Air Force<ref name="fiwaf12 p57">Hoyle Flight International 11–17 December 2012, p. 57.</ref> Three An-32
Peruvian Army<ref name="fiwaf12 p57"/> Two An-32B
Peruvian Naval Aviation<ref name="fiwaf12 p57"/> One An-32B formerly from Hungary

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Sri Lanka Air Force<ref name="fiwaf12 p60">Hoyle Flight International 11–17 December 2012, p. 60.</ref> Four An-32

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Sudanese Air Force<ref name="fiwaf12 p60"/> Six An-32

Former military operatorsEdit

File:An-32 (12549136855).jpg

A Libyan An-32 in 2009

Armenian Air Force One An-32

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Croatian Air Force: Operated two An-32B's.<ref name="fiwaf12 p49"/> Modernized in 2004 and subsequently retired and put up for sale in 2014 after being declared redundant. Both were transferred to Ukraine in 2023/24.

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Military of Ivory Coast one An-32

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Air Force of Equatorial Guinea<ref name="fiwaf12 p50">Hoyle Flight International 11–17 December 2012, p. 50.</ref> One An-32 lost in crash in 2008.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> Template:JOR

Jordanian Air Force

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Libyan Air Force

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Military of Rwanda

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Civil operatorsEdit

In July 2016, a total of 25 Antonov An-32 aircraft remained in airline service. The largest operator was Aero Transporte S.A (ATSA) of Peru with four aircraft. Some 16 other airlines operated smaller numbers of the type.<ref>Thisdell and Farfard Flight International 9–15 August 2016, pp. 28–29.</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Accidents and incidentsEdit

On 25 March 1986, an Indian Air Force An-32 disappeared over the Arabian Sea on a delivery flight from the Soviet Union (via Muscat, Oman.) No trace was ever found of the aircraft or its three crew and four passengers.<ref name=Muscat>"ASN Aircraft accident: Antonov 32 K2729 Jamnagar, India." Aviation Safety Network, 2004. Retrieved: 27 June 2011.</ref>
On 15 July 1990, an Indian Air Force An-32 crashed in the Ponmudi Mountain Range while en route from Tambaram Air Force Station to Thiruvananthapuram in India.<ref>"ASN Aircraft accident: Antonov 32 K2705 Ponmudi, India." Aviation Safety Network, Retrieved: 23 July 2016.</ref>
On 22 November 1995, a Sri Lankan Air Force An-32B which chartered from the Kazakh was shot down during a landing in Jaffna, and all 63 troops aboard killed.Template:Citation needed
On 8 January 1996, an An-32 freighter crashed into a crowded marketplace in Kinshasa, Zaire, resulting in the deaths of approximately 237 people on the ground. The crew attempted to abort the takeoff at Kinshasa-N'Dolo Airport after the aircraft failed to gain height. Four of the six crew members survived. Overloading was cited as a possible cause.<ref>"ASN Aircraft accident: Antonov 32B." Aviation Safety Network, 2004. Retrieved: 27 June 2011.</ref>
On 12 February 1998, a Sudanese Air Force An-32 carrying 51 on board, overrun the runway after landing, crashing on river, killing 26 of the 57 on board, with Zubair Mohamed Salih.
On 28 March 1998, a Peruvian Air Force An-32 carrying the dual civil/military registration OB-1389/FAP-388 and inbound from Tumbes evacuating 50 people stranded by El Niño-driven floods had an engine failure while approaching Piura. As the aircraft was overloaded, the pilot could not maintain height and the An-32 struck three houses of a nearby shantytown and crashed into a canal. While the crew of five survived, 21 passengers died plus one person on the ground.<ref>Glave, Fernando Braschi. "Photo of Antonov 32 OB-1389." Aviation Safety Network, 2004. Retrieved: 17 November 2012.</ref>
On 26 August 2007, a Great Lakes Business Company An-32B carrying nine tons of minerals, 12 passengers, and a crew of three experienced engine trouble after takeoff from Kongolo Airport, Kongolo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and crashed short of the runway while attempting to return to the airport, killing 14 of the 15 people on board.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 11 April 2008, Kata Air Transport Flight 7, a An-32, crashed during return the airport caused engine failure, killing all 8 on board.
On 10 June 2009, an Indian Air Force An-32 carrying 13 people crashed shortly after it took off from Mechuka in Arunachal Pradesh, a state bordering China.<ref>"IAF plane crash over Arunachal Pradesh." telegraphindia.com. Retrieved: 29 June 2011.</ref> All 13 people on board were reported to have been killed. Soon after the crash, India agreed a $US400 million deal with Ukraine for an An-32 fleet upgrade. This upgrade as reported will extend the life of these transport aircraft by nearly 15 years.<ref>"India inks AN-32 upgrade deal with Ukraine." Times of India. Retrieved: 29 June 2011.</ref>
On 12 December 2014, a Sri Lanka Air Force An-32 carrying five people crashed on approach to land at Ratmalana Airport after taking off from Katunayaka Bandaranayake International Airport. The pilot, co-pilot and two of the aircrew were killed in the crash and the fifth crew member suffered critical injuries and died after six days from the accident due to his injuries.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On 22 July 2016, an Indian Air Force An-32 (Registration - K2743) travelling from Chennai to Port Blair went missing above the Bay of Bengal with 29 people on board. It left the Tambaram Air Base near Chennai at 8.30 am and disappeared from radar tracking at 9.12 am, 280 km east of Chennai.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> On 12 January 2024, the Ministry of Defence (India) announced that the wreckage of the missing aircraft had been found in a recent search operation in collaboration with the National Institute of Ocean Technology. The wreckage was found at a depth of Template:Convert and at a distance of 140 nautical miles (310 km) from the coast of Chennai.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It was found by a ship on a research mission in the nearby areas and stumbled upon during calibration of Instruments.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 3 October 2018 a Sudan Air Force An-32 collided with an Antonov An-30 (also of the Sudan Air Force) at Khartoum International Airport.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On 3 June 2019, an Indian Air Force An-32 went missing near Arunachal Pradesh shortly after taking off from Jorhat Air Base in Assam in northeastern India. The wreckage of the aircraft was found in Arunachal Pradesh eight days later with 13 found dead on board.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>