Ukrainian company BVAK, in conjunction with Aviamir, is refurbishing an Angolan Air Force Il-76TD. The company has previously worked on Angolan An-72s and An-74s.
The aircraft arrived at the Bila Tserkva airfield in the Ukraine on 23 December, after flying from Angola.
Refurbishment work is being carried out by Aviamir, at the Belotserkovsky Cargo Aircraft Complex (BVAK) and involves extending the aircraft’s operational life, BVAK said in a statement. The company has previously repaired An-72s and An-74s operated by Angola, which is believed to have two Il-76s and seven An-72/74s in service. Aviamir has previously carried out work on an Angolan Il-76TD and Republic of Congo Il-76TD.
Aviamir specialises in maintenance and life extension of Il-76 and An-12 platforms.
Other Angolan transport aircraft include several An-12s, An-26s, C212s, PC-6s and BN-2A Islanders.
Angola’s Air Force has ordered new helicopters and is refurbishing existing models – in June 2016 it was confirmed as a new customer for the A109E Power, with six having been ordered in 2015 for 90 million euros. The Angolan Air Force recently took delivery of two AW139 helicopters from Leonardo Helicopters and is due to receive refurbished Mi-24P attack helicopters from Russian Helicopters, which in 2015/2016 delivered eight armed Mi-171Sh helicopters to Angola as part of a deal signed with Rosoboronexport in 2013.
