Iranian manufacturer prepares to expand output of Ukrainian twin-turboprop after overcoming programme delays
Iranian manufacturer HESA aims to achieve maximum output for licence-assembly of the Antonov An-140 within three years, having finally overcome funding issues that had delayed the 10-year-old project.
Although the agreement was signed in 1995, HESA has only assembled three "IrAn-140s" to date. HESA managing director Abbas Fallah says there is only one more due by the end of the current Iranian year, which runs to 20 March. "In the next Iranian year, four aircraft will be built and then eight, before we reach the maximum rate of one a month three years from now," he says.
Fallah says that the main cause for the delay was the late arrival of state investments for the project. "This meant that we were late placing orders for production tools and vendor items," he says, but adds that "the bulk of the vendor problems" have been resolved.
The first two IrAn-140s are in service with Tehran-based Safiran Airlines, which also holds orders for two more aircraft. The next deliveries will be to local rival Saha Airlines. A deal has also been signed for 20 aircraft with Iran Aseman Airlines, and the total market in Iran is put at 80 units.
The initial batch of IrAn-140s are being assembled from kits supplied by the Kharkov manufacturing plant (KSAMC) in Ukraine, but the contract calls for HESA to gradually transition to locally produced components. Iran's Turbine Engine Manufacturing (TEM) has a separate contract with ZMKB Progress and Motor-Sich to undertake local production of the An-140's TV3-117VMA-SBM1 turboprops, and the first such engine is being assembled in Tehran this month. It will be installed on an IrAn-140 in June, after the completion of ground testing. TEM is initially handling the compressor section, and says that it will gradually take over production of "nearly 100%" of the engine parts.
KSAMC, HESA and Russia's Aviacor plant have an agreement for An-140 sales worldwide. "Our project is not just confined to delivery of kits to Iran, but a joint activity for the design, manufacture and sales of the An-140 in the open market," says KSAMC general director Pavel Naumenko. "We have a large Iranian market for An-140 sales. Besides, taking account of Iran's position in the region and special relations between Iran and certain countries, we have the opportunity to export IrAn-140s." He lists Afghanistan, Libya, North Korea, Syria and the Gulf states as potential markets.
VLADIMIR KARNOZOV / KISH
Source: Flight International
