Aircraft

Russia's United Aircraft, Ukraine's Antonov and outsize freight carrier Volga-Dnepr have signed a technical requirements document covering the modernised variant of the Antonov An-124.

The document, signed at the Moscow MAKS air show, is part of the effort to resume serial production of the heavy freighter.

It specifies that the modernised version will have a payload capacity of 150t and increased range of 4,000km (2,160nm) at maximum load - or 15,000km empty - with a reduced crew of three.

Modernisation and restored production of the An-124 is a "major" programme for Russia and Ukraine, says Antonov general designer Dmitry Kiva.

Implementation will "reserve a leading position" for the country in the super-heavy cargo market. Kiva says more than 280 Russian and 80 Ukrainian companies are set to participate.

Volga-Dnepr Group president Alexey Isaikin adds that the An-124 has become an "indispensable tool" for logistics. The company estimates that up to 100 An-124s will be needed by 2030.