NATO reporting name: Cline
Indian Air Force name: Sutlej

TYPE: Twin-turboprop short/medium-range transport.

PROGRAMME: Prototype (SSSR-83966) first exhibited 1977 Paris Air Show; export deliveries to India began 1984. Since 1982, the aircraft has been in series production at the Kiev-based Aviant plant. There have been built more than 350 aircraft.

VARIANTS: Offered initially with choice of two AI-20 turboprops; all production An-32s have AI-20D Series 5 engines, as described in detail. Specialised versions available for firefighting, fisheries surveillance, agricultural, Polar (An-32P) and air ambulance use, last-named complete with operating theatre.

CUSTOMERS: Soviet air forces, Afghanistan, India (123, named Sutlej after a Punjabi river), and Peru (15); reported customers include Cape Verde, Nicaragua, Sao Tome and Principe, and Tanzania (as of 1991).

DESIGN FEATURES: Development of An-26, with triple-slotted trailing-edge flaps outboard of engines, automatic leading-edge slats, enlarged ventral fins and full-span slotted tailplane; improved landing gear retraction, de-icing and air-conditioning, electrical system and engine starting; large increase in power compared with An-26 improves take-off performance, service ceiling and payload under hot and high conditions; overwing location of engines reduces possibility of stone or debris ingestion, but requires nacelles of considerable depth to house underwing landing gear; operation possible from unpaved strips at airfields 4,000-4,500 m (13,125-14,750 ft) above sea level in ambient temperature of ISA + 25°C; APU helps to ensure independence of ground servicing equipment, including onboard engine starting at these altitudes.

FLYING CONTROLS: As An-26 except for high-lift wings (see Design Features).

STRUCTURE: Generally as An-26.

LANDING GEAR: Hydraulically retractable tricycle type, basically as An-26. All shock absorbers of oleo-nitrogen type. Tyre sizes and pressures unchanged.

POWER PLANT: Two Ivchenko AI-20D Series 5 turboprops, each rated at 3,812 kW (5,112 ehp) and driving a four-blade constant-speed reversible-pitch propeller. One TG-16M APU in rear of starboard landing gear fairing.

ACCOMMODATION: Crew of three (pilot, co-pilot and navigator), with provision for flight engineer. Rear loading hatch and forward-sliding ramp dour, similar to those of An-26, plus winch and hoist with capacity ol 3,000 kg (6,615 lb) for freight handling. Cargo or vehicles can be airdropped by parachute, including extraction of large loads by drag parachute, with the aid of removable roller conveyors and guide rails on the floor of the hold. Payloads include 12 freight pallets, 50 passengers or 42 parachutists and a jumpmaster on a row of tip-up seats along each cabin wall, or 24 stretcher patients and up to three medical personnel.

SYSTEMS: Accommodation fully pressurised and air-conditioned. Systems basically as An-26 but generally improved.

AVIONICS: Basically as An-26.

EQUIPMENT: Basically as An-26.

ARMAMENT: Provision for four bomb racks, two on each side of the fuselage below the wings (fitted to aircraft for Peru).