OREANDA-NEWS. December 23, 2009. The Government of Ukraine is going to allocated USD 8.4mn from the State budget in 2010 for the Antonov Plant to complete the testing program of AN-70 model aircraft, and USD 15mn for Aviant to produce the first two serial airliners. The Russian Ministry of Defense has wired USD 4.92mn to the Antonov Plant account for this purpose. The amount of State budget funding endorsed by both Ukraine and Russian in August to complete the testing program is estimated at USD 132mn. The testing program is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2012.

Millennium Capital: the AN-70 model testing program bodes well for MotorSich, the only producer of engines for this aircraft, once this program is in full swing and the funds are released on the timeline scheduled. It should also be noted that potential European customers are now looking into possibilities of involving AN-70 model aircraft in the NATO and EU air transportation operations.