A senior Ukrainian aviation official said Iran has signed a deal with Ukraine to purchase 18 Antonov 148 mid-range passenger jets and later produce 60 licensed versions of it, the Interfax news agency reported.
Dmitro Kiva, chairman of the Kiev-headquartered Antonov aerospace factory, said Iran 'will fully participate' in the subsequent production of the aircraft.
The An-148 is a twin-engine high-wing passenger plane designed for operation at rough airfields. Ukraine developed the aircraft during the 1990s and certified the single flying prototype in February 2007.