Rostec State Corporation exhibits heavy transport aircraft Il-76MD-90A (E) at the Dubai Air Show along with 200 other military and civilian products. Starting today, the Dubai Air Show will continue till November 17th, 2023. Organized under the Rosoboronexport, several Russian companies are exhibiting at the Dubai Air Show including UAC, Russian Helicopters, Ruselectronics, Kalashnikov Concern, High-Precision Complexes, KRET, and other Rostec holdings.
It is worth noting that Rostec is exhibiting heavy transport aircraft Il-76MD-90A (E) for the very first time abroad since 1994. Equipped with state-of-the-art defense system, the aircraft can also protect itself from incoming anti-aircraft missiles.
One of the main differences from the Il-76’s previous models is the use of more powerful PS-90A-76 turbofan engines in place of earlier D-30KP engines. These engines provide improved take-off and landing and cruising performance, increased payload, longer flight range, increased efficiency by reducing fuel consumption, and meet high environmental requirements for noise and emissions of harmful substances.
The IL-76MD-90A (E) can be converted into ambulance or fire-fighting versions.
Russian aviation experts have noted that the Il-76MD-90A (E) has a good international market outlook; in particular, it surpasses its competitors in terms of maximum flight range and troop capacity.
During the contemporary era, this type of multiple aircraft is trending in the international defense market and modern forces are very much interested in inducting them.
Along with the Il-76MD-90A (E), the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has developed the new IL-78MK-90A tanker aircraft. Apart from its main mission, it can be converted into a transport plane. Like the Il-76MD-90A, the aircraft features powerful PS-90A-76 engines and can operate from both paved and unpaved airfields.
The Il-78МК-90А tanker has improved aerial refueling equipment, can carry more fuel, and has a longer life. The tanker refuels up to four aircraft on the ground and one or two aircraft in the air. It can be converted into a transport aircraft. The transport aircraft can then be converted back into a tanker.
The African continent is now focusing on their air forces and inducting latest aircraft, weapon systems to modernize their air forces. Both aircraft can be good option for these nations to equip their arsenal with these multi-purposes aircraft.
Umair Aslam is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Global Defense Insight. He has worked as a defense journalist reporting on military modernization programs, defense industry, arms procurement, and emerging technologies.
