OREANDA-NEWS  On 19 November was announced, that the Ukrainian-Iranian Memorandum on AN-148 aircraft was signed by Mr. Kiva, General Designer of ANTONOV ASTC, Mr. Boguslaev, President of Motor Sich JS, Mr. Kozorezov, Director General of Aviant Kiev state aviation plant, Mr. Myalitsa, Director General of KSAMC and Mr. Alizade – Managing Director of HESA Iranian manufacturing company.

The Memorandum stated intention of Iranian party to purchase and to manufacture 50 regional AN-148 passenger aircraft of a new generation in a wide cooperation with Ukrainian and Russian enterprises, marked main stages of this work, agreed a possibility to perform modifications in case of necessity in the interest of Iranian aviation carriers. Besides, according to the document, the parties will initiate preparation of corresponding Ukrainian-Iranian interstate agreement. Making a speech during the ceremony of signing of the Memorandum, Mr. Alizadeh said: “We are grateful to ANTONOV for demonstration of AN-148 aircraft in Iran. We are satisfied with opennes of Ukrainian specialists who answered our questions. This visit strengthened our cooperation, which has already been lasted for 12 years. Now we are sure that AN-148 will find a proper place in Iran. It is a very modern machine, corresponding to a world level. We want more and more to take part in a programme of cooperation on this aircraft together with ANTONOV company which owns the most progressive technologies.”

The Memorandum was signed in Isphahan – an ancient capital of Iran, near which HESA plant is situated. This factory constructs AN-140 and it is considered for launch of AN-148 serial production. On October 30, the airliner flew to the airdrome of the enterprise. It became its sixth flight in Iran. In Isphahan the AN-148 was visited by a big number of HESA specialists who familiarized in details wih its airframe and onboard equipment. They also discussed the peculiarities of technology of its assembly. On October 31, the delegation of aviation industry of Ukraine came back to Kiev. In conclusion of the visit Mr. Kiva expressed the gratitude for good organization of the visit of Ukrainian delegation and assistance in demonstration of AN-148. “It is pleased to see that HESA plant is being dynamically developed, - said he, addressing to Mr. Alizadeh. – Development of aviation industry is the way to the future. ANTONOV and our partners are ready to continue negotiations on AN-148 and to accept the delegation of Iranian specialists in Ukraine within the agreed terms”.