The joint Saudi-Ukrainian military transport aircraft Antonov AN-132 today made a successful maiden flight over the Ukraine.  The plane was piloted by retired Saudi Air Force Major General Mohammed Ayash and a crew of Ukrainian pilots and technicians.

The Antonov AN-132 is a joint venture between the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and Ukraine's Antonov State Company.  The joint venture is part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to localize 50 percent of military spending.

Major General (retired) Ali Al-Ghamdi, President of the Aviation Technology Company, said the Saudi industrial rate for the Antonov AN-132 will start with 35 percent and will gradually reach 100 percent.