Inside An-32: Aircraft that became backbone of India's remote frontiers

Inside An-32: Aircraft that became backbone of India's remote frontiers The Antonov-32 (An-32), a Soviet-origin twin-engine turboprop, has been the backbone of the Indian Air Force’s transport fleet since its induction in 1984. With over 100 aircraft in service, India remains the largest operator of this versatile platform, originally designed to perform in tropical and mountainous conditions. The An-32 is specifically designed to operate in the hot and high conditions of India, that is in the desert and mountainous environments. The aircraft 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. The aircraft equips six squadrons of the IAF, which are the 12, 25, 33, 43, 48 and 49 squadrons. Of these 49 squadron of the IAF is located in Jorhat in Assam.The An-32’s primary roles include carrying up to 7.5 tons of cargo, transporting 50 passengers or 42 paratroopers and conducting humanitarian missions such as disaster relief and medical evacuations. The aircraft has also been part of India’s green energy push, successfully flying on bio-jet fuel blends. Recognising its robust frame, the IAF launched a $400 million modernization program, upgrading avionics, navigation, and radar systems, while extending service life and improving cabin comfort. End of Article