Rosoboronexport (the state-owned company that groups Russian defense exports) is reportedly negotiating with foreign partners for the export of several dozen Il-76MD-90A military transport aircrafts.
The main Russian debut at this year’s Dubai Air Show 2023 is the Il-76MD-90A(E) heavy transport aircraft. Russia had not taken aircraft of this class to foreign air shows for almost 30 years.
According to TASS, Rosoboronexport CEO Alexander Mikheev told journalists present at the Dubai Airshow 2023 International Aviation and Space Exhibition that talks are underway with foreign partners and customers for the potential sale of 40 to 50 Il-76MD-90A military transport aircrafts.
“There is a lot of interest. Of course, I would not like to name countries. But including those in this region, countries that want to have a fleet of military transport aircraft, CIS countries, Southeast Asian countries. So far we have 40-50 Il-76MD aircraft with new engines, with a new wing, with new equipment, with new technical, tactical and technical flight characteristics. And, by the way, the unique President-S airborne defense complex,” Mikheev said, perhaps over-optimistically.
See also: Dubai Air Show 2023: Russia seeks Su-57E customers, and Su-75 Checkmate partners
The “new” IL-76MD-90A
The IL-76MD-90A is a thorough modernization of the IL-76MD aircraft, which affected more than 70% of the systems and components, allowing to increase the payload to 60 tons, increase the flight range, reduce fuel consumption and at the same time improve safety.
Thanks to these upgrades and the adoption of the more powerful and efficient PS-90A engines, the IL-76MD-90A can carry up to 60 tons of cargo over a distance of 4,000 km and 20 tons over 8,500 km.
The aircraft is equipped with a multi-channel electro-optical sighting system (while retaining its traditional glazed bow) to locate and determine the launch area and control the airdrop of personnel and cargo. It also incorporates the President-S self-defense system, which includes active laser defense equipment designed to deceive and misdirect incoming infrared-guided missiles.
In addition to the IL-76MD-90A(E), Rosoboronexport presented for the first time in the Middle East several airdrop systems, including the Junker-DG-250 automated cargo delivery system. Developed by the Technodinamika holding company (part of the state corporation Rostec), this intelligent parachute system enables precise air cargo delivery using a self-guiding system based on GLONASS or GPS-type satellite positioning systems.
