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...much more through4:42 p.m. EDT March 28, 2015
In 2009, India contracted with Ukraine's state-owned arms trading agency, Ukrspetsexport Corp., to upgrade its 104 AN-32 transport aircraft at a cost of US $400 million as the fleet had reached its life expectancy. The program, which was to run through 2017, involved the upgrade of 40 aircraft in Ukraine and 64 under technology transfer from Ukraine at the Air Force's Kanpur-based base repair depot.
However, only 35 aircraft, upgraded at Kiev-based Antonov State Co. facilities in Ukraine, have returned, while the last five remain stranded due to the conflict.
"These five aircraft are almost lost as it is difficult to trace them and diplomatic efforts to find their whereabouts have failed," the Air Force official said.
A diplomat from the Ukraine Embassy said Antonov must resolve this issue with the Indian Air Force, and that the government cannot help. Antonov officials were unavailable for comment.
http://www.defensenews.com/story/defens ... /70441446/