AN-32 Aircraft

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News: An Indian Air Force AN-32 transport aircraft crashed near Jorhat, Assam, resulting in the death of five personnel.

About AN-32 Aircraft

Antonov AN-32
Source: India Today

 

  • About: The Antonov AN-32 is a rugged, twin-engine turboprop military transport aircraft.
  • It serves as the “workhorse” of the Indian Air Force. 
  • It was built in the Soviet Union specifically for Indian requirements.
  • Induction year: It was inducted in 1984.
  • The Indian Air Force operates a fleet of about 100 of these aircraft.
  • Features: 
    • It is designed to excel in extreme environments, functioning perfectly in high-altitude airfields and hot tropical climates. 
    • It is designed by mating the reliable and rugged airframe of the An-26 with more powerful engines. 
    • This enables operations in high-altitude airfields in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, making it indispensable for missions over the Himalayas and the Siachen Glacier.
    • It equips six squadrons of the IAF, which are the 12, 25, 33, 43, 48 and 49 squadrons. 
      • Of these, 49 squadrons of the IAF are located in Jorhat in Assam.
    • It can transport up to 7.5 tons of cargo, 50 passengers, or 42 paratroopers, and conduct humanitarian missions such as disaster relief and medical evacuations.
    • It has also been part of India’s green energy push, successfully flying on bio-jet fuel blends. 

About Other Transport Aircraft of Indian Airforce

Transport AircraftDetails 
Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
  • It is a high-wing, 4-engine, military transport aircraft. 
  • It was inducted into service in 2013.
  • It is capable of carrying large equipment like armoured vehicles, supplies, and troops to a small airfield in harsh terrain anywhere in the world, either in the day or at night.
C-130 J Super Hercules
  • It is a 4-engine, turboprop military transport aircraft.
  • It was inducted into service in 2011.
  • It is the best aircraft available for tactical airlift and a premier aircraft used during the war for frontline paradrop near border areas.
  • It is also the most suitable aircraft for special operations because of its short takeoff and landing capabilities. 
  • It is also capable of taking off and landing on an unprepared runway. 
  • Its low-flying capabilities make it favourable for para dropping, as it can easily escape from enemies’ radar. 
  • Also, it is used for dropping relief materials during disasters.
Ilyushin IL-76
  • It is a medium-range, 4-engine turbofan military transport aircraft. 
  • It has been in service with the IAF since 1985.
  • It is capable of para drop and the carriage of troops, and combat materials with crew and armaments, including medium-sized battle tanks, cargo airlifting for troops and also transport for disaster relief operations. 
  • It can also be operated from unpaved runways in forward areas of operation.
Dornier Do 228
  • It is a twin-engine turboprop, multi-role, military transport aircraft.
  • It is a type of STOL (Short takeoff and landing) aircraft, which requires a takeoff runway of only 792 m and a landing runway of only for 451 m.
  • It has been in service with the IAF since 1986.
  • It can be deployed in passenger and cargo transportation, as an air taxi, for aircrew training, maritime surveillance, search and rescue missions, border patrol, and medical evacuation missions. 
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