Ukraine to upgrade Air Force's 100 AN-32 cargo planes

New Delhi, Jun 17 (ANI): India has signed a deal with an Ukraine firm to modernise its 100 medium lift AN-32 cargo aircraft.

The contract, worth over 400 million dollars was signed between Ukrainian military export monopolist Ukrspetsexport and India to upgrade the planes operated by the Indian Air Force.

Antonov Aircraft Company, headquartered at Kiev, will give the eponymous 20-tonne-capacity aircraft "a full upgrade of on-board communications and navigation systems," Defence Ministry officials said.

The Antonov-32s are the lifeline of Indian soldiers fighting uninhabitable weather conditions and the harsh terrain to protect Siachen Glacier, the world's highest battlefield.

The aircraft is mainly used for carrying cargo, supplies and troops to Siachen, where guns fell silent following a November 2003 ceasefire accord with Pakistan. (ANI)