Antonov AN-32

The Antonov An-32 is a twin-turboprop military transport aircraft developed by the Antonov Design Bureau in Ukraine as an upgraded variant of the An-26. It was designed primarily to meet India's requirement for a transport capable of operating reliably in high-altitude and hot-climate conditions, featuring more powerful engines mounted above the wing to improve ground clearance. The aircraft entered service in the early 1980s and has been widely used for military logistics, paradrop missions, and humanitarian operations. Its distinctive feature is its oversized Ivchenko AI-20D Series 5 turboprop engines, which give it significantly greater performance than its predecessor in demanding environments. The An-32 has seen extensive use with the Indian Air Force, which remains one of its largest operators, as well as numerous other air forces and cargo operators across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Though aging, many examples remain in active service, with some having undergone modernization programs.