What is Antonov AN-32?

About Antonov AN-32:

• It is a twin-engined turboprop military transport aircraft.
• It is designed and manufactured by the Antonov Design Bureau of Ukraine.
• It was purchased by India from the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1984. 
• Its Nato reporting name is Cline.
• Features:
  • The AN-32 can be operated at high-altitude airfields (up to 4500 m above sea level) and in a hot climate, making the aircraft suitable for tactical military transport or other evacuation operations.
  • It can carry a maximum weight of 27 tons at a maximum speed of 530 km/h. 
  • Passenger Capacity: 42 paratroopers or 50 passengers or 24 Casualties on a stretcher with three medical personnel.
  • It also has a limited bombing role and is used for para-trooping operations.

What is a turboprop aircraft?

• A turboprop aircraft uses a turbo-prop engine rather than a piston-powered engine or a jet engine.
• They have one or more gas-turbine engines connected to a gearbox that turns the propeller(s) to move the aircraft on the ground and through the air.
• Turboprop aircraft have lower operating costs than jets because they burn less fuel, but they are also slower than jets.

Q1) What is the Boeing C-17 Globemaster?

The C-17 Globemaster III (Globemaster C-17) is a longrange, heavy-lift strategic transport aircraft that can operate close to a potential area of operations for combat, peacekeeping or humanitarian missions worldwide.C-17 is capable of rapid, strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases anywhere in the world.

Source: No longer enamoured by China, Indian Ocean countries rediscover historic bond with India

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