The prototype of the Ukrainian plane An-178-100R, unique of its kind in the world, was transferred to Bydgoszcz, in Poland, to protect it from the destruction of the Russian troops in October 2024. This is the only prototype of the plane that was designed for evidence and certification before its serial delivery, interrupted by the beginning of the war unleashed by the Russian president, Vladimir Putin.
The serial production of the AN-178-100R is now uncertain due to the armed conflict and political problems. Łukasz Pacholski, magazine expert Aviation international aviationhe explained in an interview with El Middle that this plane was evacuated to Poland to avoid destruction by the Russians.
The plane is currently at the Bydgoszcz -ignacy International Airport Jan Padrewski, where Antonov certified technical staff, the aircraft manufacturer company, carried out the maintenance and development service.
“An evacuation of this type is nothing new. This is a principle that has been practiced for a long time in armed conflicts: the most valuable elements that are not needed in the war are evacuated to protect them from the destruction or capture by the enemy,” Pacholski said to the Polish Half.
The future production of the AN-178-100R is still doubtful, since “the situation in Ukraine will probably make this project stay in the phase of a single plane prototype,” the expert predicted.
The war in Ukraine has caused an exit of qualified workers from the aeronautical industry, which can affect the future of Antonov aircraft production. “The war was undoubtedly an opportunity for other Western companies with adequate financial resources to buy antonov key employees,” explains Pacholski.
The AN-178-100R should have been a modern transport plane to replace older models, such as the AN-12. Before the outbreak of the war, about 30 orders were made, but finally only a prototype was built, add the same medium.
