Russian Defense Ministry plans to buy over 100 Il-76MD-90A planes before 2030.

The Ulyanovsk-based Aviastar-SP enterprise (part of the transport aviation division within the United Aircraft Corporation) plans to deliver six Ilyushin Il-76MD-90A heavily upgraded military transport planes to Russia’s Defense Ministry in 2019, the Ilyushin Aircraft Company reported on its Instagram page on March 22. "Under the 2019 production program, the Ulyanovsk-based aircraft-making enterprise plans to manufacture and deliver six Il-76MD-90A aircraft," the statement says.

Il-76MD-90A of the Russian Air Force (Picture source: Alexey Reznichenko)

"This is the main aircraft in Defense Ministry’s plans. Potentially, the Defense Ministry plans to buy more than 100 aircraft, and this number grows if we add flying tankers produced on the basis of this plane," the deputy prime minister said.

Russia’s Defense Ministry signed a contract in 2012 under which Aviastar-SP enterprise is to manufacture 39 Il-76MD-90A for the Russian Armed Forces.

Il-76MD-90A is an upgraded Il-76 (Candid by NATO classification). A new navigational complex, automatic controls and communications increase flight safety and airdrop precision. The latest modification is distinguished by new equipment, including a glass cockpit, modern PS-90A-76 engines, a modified wing and reinforced chassis. Il-76MD-90A is used to develop Il-78M-90A air tanker.

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