World's largest Cargo Plane, Antonov An-225 Mriya, lands in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, May 13: World's largest aircraft, Antonov AN -225 Mriya -- or the Dream, has made its debut landing in India today at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, the Ukraine company's collaborators in Mumbai said on Wednesday.

The wide body aircraft is powered by 6 turbofan engines and is considered the longest and the heaviest airplane ever built. According to a statement, it has the maximu take off weight of 640 tonnes.

The statement further added that the aircraft had th elargest wingspan in operational service. "Specially built to undertake transcontinental route airlifting load between 180-230 tonnes, the aircraft will be coming in to Hyderabad from Turkmenistan."

THis comes in the wake of Anil Ambani-led Reliance Defence signing a pact last month with ANtonic Company of Ukraine for the assembly, manufacture, and maintenance and repair of is platforms in India, both for the military and the commercial market.

Reliance Defence, together with Antonov will jointly address various requirements including 50-80 passenger aircraft programme of the HAL. India is likely to require over 200 medium turbofan aircraft valued at Rs. 35,000 crore. This is the backbone of all tactical transport support of the air force, paramilitary and army forces.

OneIndia News