Platform profile · India · Twin-turboprop tactical transport aircraft · Indian Air Force
Antonov An-32
OngoingAn-32s operated from the Sultanpur expressway landing facility on 22 April 2026 while a replacement programme proceeds.
On 22 April 2026, An-32 aircraft took part in day-and-night operations from the Sultanpur emergency landing facility on the Purvanchal Expressway. Less than a month earlier, the Defence Acquisition Council granted Acceptance of Necessity for a Medium Transport Aircraft programme intended to replace the An-32 and Il-76 fleets. Two An-32s had also demonstrated island access in March 2025 with an air-landed operation at Agatti and combat-free-fall activity at Kavaratti. Antonov records that the type was developed to an Indian Air Force requirement, with a 1980 order covering 118 aircraft and operation from airfields up to 4,500 metres. The 2016 loss of K-2743 with 29 people aboard remained unresolved until imagery of possible debris was obtained at 3,400 metres depth in January 2024. The An-32 remains important for rugged tactical and high-altitude lift, making a controlled transition to its successor essential for India's remote and island logistics.
Updated 22 Apr 2026
Verified figures
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Design origin | Developed from the An-26 to an Indian Air Force requirement ↗ |
| High-altitude airfield capability | Up to 4,500 m above sea level ↗ |
| Length | 23.68 m ↗ |
| Height | 8.75 m ↗ |
| Wingspan | 29.20 m ↗ |
| Wing area | 74.98 sq m ↗ |
| Cruise speed | 460 km/h ↗ |
| Operational range | 800 km ↗ |
| Operational ceiling | 8,000 m ↗ |
| Production | 358 aircraft manufactured at Kyiv from 1982 to 1996 ↗ |
Spec sources: antonov.com ↗
Changelog
Program timeline
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An-32 aircraft participated in day-and-night flying from the Sultanpur emergency landing facility on the Purvanchal Expressway during its operational activation.
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The Defence Acquisition Council granted Acceptance of Necessity for a Medium Transport Aircraft programme to replace the IAF's An-32 and Il-76 fleets as part of approvals worth about Rs 2.38 lakh crore.
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Two Southern Air Command An-32s completed an air-landed operation at Agatti on 5 March and a combat-free-fall operation at Kavaratti on 6 March.
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An-32 and C-130J aircraft ferried relief materials and personnel for the IAF's response to the Wayanad landslide in Kerala.
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NIOT deep-sea imagery obtained at 3,400 m depth about 310 km off Chennai was assessed as possible debris from missing IAF An-32 K-2743.
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An An-32 carrying 13 people disappeared after departing Jorhat for Mechuka; wreckage was later located and all aboard were lost.
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IAF An-32 K-2743 disappeared over the Bay of Bengal with 29 people aboard while flying from Chennai to Port Blair.
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By 13 May during Nepal earthquake relief, An-32s had flown 12 sorties, carried 6.00 tonnes and evacuated 135 people.
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The Soviet Council of Ministers ordered development and manufacture of the An-32 for export to the Indian Air Force, covering 118 aircraft.
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The An-32 made its maiden flight with Volodymyr Tkachenko as captain of the test crew.
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