yasin_khan
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Jane’s Defence Weekly (JDW) reported on 16 September 2004 that China is approaching Ukraine for heavylift aircraft to boost its long-distance strategic power projection capabilities for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). JDW cites its sources in Beijing that China has launched preliminary talks with Ukraine on the potential acquisition and/or licensed production of Antonov heavylift transport aircraft.It is understood that China may be interested in purchasing few Antonov An-124 (NATO codename: Condor) four-engine freighters, the world’s largest production aircraft with a maximum payload of 120 tonnes. Additionally, China may also consider the even larger six-engine An-225 Mriya (Dream) freighter, which is the largest aircraft ever built in the history of mankind, with a maximum payload of 250 tonnes.
With its unique transport capabilities and the high performance, the An-124 will provide China with the strategic airlift capabilities it does not possess currently. The PLAAF currently operates fourteen IL-76MD military transport aircraft, each of which can carry 140 troops or 125 paratroops. The An-124 can carry 448 troops or 268 paratroops, or 16 pallets of cargos for airdrops, each weighting up to 4.5 tonnes, outperforming any strategic transport aircraft in service with the Western air forces.
Another important reason that may have attracted China to pursue the An-124 is the potential opportunity of technology transfer or licensed production of the aircraft. The Chinese aviation industry has been long to build a large, modern transport aircraft for both civil and military purposes. Following the several failed attempts to build large commercial airliners jointly with McDonnell Douglas and Airbus in the 1990s, China may well turn to countries like Ukraine and Russia for helps.
It is possible that China may purchase few planes for initial evaluations before further deals are made. It is also possible that the aircraft will be acquired through commercial airlines to keep a low profile.
However, according to the previous experience, a deal like this may has a long way to go before any meaningful result is produced. Politics and international relations may also play important roles. In addition, should China obtained the An-124 or An-225 successfully, the limited number of airfields in China with necessary facilities for the taking-off and landing of the outsized aircraft may well limit its effectiveness.
http://www.sinodefence.com/news/2004/news011004.asp
With its unique transport capabilities and the high performance, the An-124 will provide China with the strategic airlift capabilities it does not possess currently. The PLAAF currently operates fourteen IL-76MD military transport aircraft, each of which can carry 140 troops or 125 paratroops. The An-124 can carry 448 troops or 268 paratroops, or 16 pallets of cargos for airdrops, each weighting up to 4.5 tonnes, outperforming any strategic transport aircraft in service with the Western air forces.
Another important reason that may have attracted China to pursue the An-124 is the potential opportunity of technology transfer or licensed production of the aircraft. The Chinese aviation industry has been long to build a large, modern transport aircraft for both civil and military purposes. Following the several failed attempts to build large commercial airliners jointly with McDonnell Douglas and Airbus in the 1990s, China may well turn to countries like Ukraine and Russia for helps.
It is possible that China may purchase few planes for initial evaluations before further deals are made. It is also possible that the aircraft will be acquired through commercial airlines to keep a low profile.
However, according to the previous experience, a deal like this may has a long way to go before any meaningful result is produced. Politics and international relations may also play important roles. In addition, should China obtained the An-124 or An-225 successfully, the limited number of airfields in China with necessary facilities for the taking-off and landing of the outsized aircraft may well limit its effectiveness.
http://www.sinodefence.com/news/2004/news011004.asp
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