India shows interest in Russia’s upgraded Il-76MD-90A military transport plane
The Il-76MD-90A is a heavy upgrade of the Il-76MD plane outfitted with the PS-90A-76 engines with 10% lower fuel consumption
India shows interest in Russia’s upgraded Il-76MD-90A military transport plane and negotiations are underway, said CEO of the state arms company Rosoboronexport Alexander Mikheyev on the sidelines of the Aero India 2023 international air show on Wednesday.
“The Il-76MD-90A is a follow-up of the Il-76 transport aircraft and is actually a new plane. The aircraft has received a new engine, an improved wing, the glass cockpit and many other innovations that have helped considerably improve its characteristics. India has shown an interest in this aircraft and we are holding consultations on potential cooperation,” the chief executive said.
The Il-76MD-90A is a heavy upgrade of the Il-76MD plane outfitted with the PS-90A-76 engines with 10% lower fuel consumption. The new military transport plane made of domestic components is capable of carrying a payload of 52 metric tons to an extended range of 5,000 km. It can also carry a broader range of transportable and air-droppable hardware and armaments.
The Il-76MD-90A features improved basic performance characteristics as compared to its predecessor. In particular, it boasts an extended flight range and larger payload. In addition, its air navigation and air-drop accuracy and radio communications have been improved.
The 14th Aero India international air show is running at Yelahanka Air Force base in Bangalore in southern India on February 13-17. The India air show is held once every two years. Russia is an active participant in the Indian air shows and features over 200 military products this year.
India now has its own Light transport aircraft in the form of SARAS MK2. Dornier 228 and C295 are being manufactured within the country. India will soon start work on designing a medium transport aircraft with carrying capacity of may be up to 25 tons.
Therefore there is a long time before we go for indigenous designing of a heavy transport. Here in comes the new IL 76 MD – 90A. In case terms are favaourable we can manufacture this aircraft in India. We do require at least 6 Squadrons or 72 aircrafts for the IAF for heavy lift and another 12 to 24 aircrafts for AWACS.
