Antonov, Taqnia to jointly develop and manufacture new model of the An-32 airlifter 1505155.

According to this agreement, King Abdulaziz City for science and technology (KACST), Taqnia Aeronautics Company and Antonov Company will develop the current model of aircraft (Antonov-32) to add additional capabilities to the aircraft's payload, range and takeoff. The development also will includes the full development of the cockpit with sophisticated American-made navigation devices which will enables the crew to do more difficult tasks, in addition to many other features that will increase significantly the capability of the aircraft from its old model. The new model of the aircraft will be named Antonov-132 and Saudi Arabia will also own the intellectual property and the engineering designs for the aircraft.

The Antonov-32 was selected after studying the needs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the international market for light transport aircraft in the military and civil sectors and study the available options which ultimately led to the selection of the aircraft to be developed to meet the requirements of the Kingdom and world aviation organizations, where the aircraft's ability to perform many tasks including the transport of materials and equipment, and transporting personals and soldiers, parachuting, medical evacuation, reconnaissance, maritime surveillance and other military and civilian tasks. The aircraft have demonstrated competence in the completion of tasks in several countries for the old model, and the capability of the aircraft to land on unpaved runways where many other transport aircraft do not have this characteristic.