Forty-one AN-32 transport aircraft require upgrade in advanced avionics, navigation and communication equipment and the process to do so should be over by 2024-25, the Defence Ministry said Monday.
In a written response to a question in Rajya Sabha, Minister of State in the Defence Ministry Shripad Naik said the AN-32 aircraft is the workhorse of the IAF transport fleet and is used to sustain troops in far flung areas of northeast India.
"Forty-one aircraft in the AN-32 fleet of IAF require upgradation in advanced avionics, navigation and communication equipment. The upgradation programme of AN-32 is under progress, which is planned to be completed by 2024-25," Naik said.
"All AN-32 aircraft presently have useful residual life and are fully air worthy."