IMAGE: IL-76MD-90A
A blog dedicated to Russia-linked military developments, diana-mihailova.livejournal.com, released an alleged photo of the production plan of 36 IL-76MD-90A military transport aircraft for the Russian Armed Forces in the period from 2017 to 2022.
According to this plan, Russia should obtain 3 IL-76MD-90A planes in 2018, 5 – in 2019, 6 – in 2020, 8 – in 2021 and 14 – in 2022. However, the comparison of this plan with the recent developments shows that the production of IL-76MD-90A military planes is going slower than it has been expected.
For example on November 7, 2018, the IL-76MD-90A plane with the serial number 0109 started its flight tests in the city of Ulyanovsk. This is the only IL-76MD-90A plane, which has started undergoing tests this year. So, it’s hard to expect that Russia will receive 3 IL-76MD-90A planes in 2018.
The production plan of 36 IL-76MD-90A military transport aircraft
The IL-76MD-90A is a new military transport aircraft (code name: IL-476) developed by Ilyushin Aviation Complex for Rusia. It is based on the same airframe and fuselage of IL-76 aircraft, but integrates advanced features such as redesigned wing section, new cockpit with modern avionics and powerful engines. Its maximum take-off weight is 210t and the maximum payload is 52t.
There is no sectret that Russia has a limited military transport aviation fleet, aircraft of which can be used for airlifting troops, military equipment and supplies or converted into electronic intelligence aircraft – a key component of any strike reconnaissance complex.
Meanwhile, China is actively expanding its strategic airlift capability:
