In a bid to modernize India's aging fleet of Il-76MD transport aircraft, Russia has proposed an upgrade featuring its Aviadvigatel PS-90 engines.
This offer comes as the Indian Air Force (IAF) is actively pursuing plans to overhaul and extend the service life of its 17 Il-76MDs, which currently rely on older Soloviev D-30KP-1 turbofans.
The IAF's history with the Il-76 platform dates back to 1983, when the Indian government first approved the induction of the Il-76MD. Between 1983 and 1988, seventeen aircraft were ordered, forming the backbone of the IAF's heavy lift capabilities.
Over the years, the IAF expanded its Il-76 fleet with the acquisition of six Il-78/78M in-flight refueling aircraft from Uzbekistan in 2003 and three A-50 Phalcon Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft in 2008. Notably, these later acquisitions already utilize the more modern PS-90 engines.
Should the IAF accept Russia's proposal, the re-engining program would bring the older Il-76MDs in line with the newer platforms. The PS-90 offers several advantages over the D-30KP-1, including increased fuel efficiency, improved reliability, and enhanced performance.
These improvements could prove vital for the IAF, allowing for greater operational range, reduced maintenance costs, and enhanced mission capabilities.
This is not the first time Russia has offered to modernize India's Il-76 fleet. In recent months, Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has also proposed the joint production of the Il-76MD-90A, a significantly modernized variant of the Il-76, in India.
This offer aims to replace the aging Il-76MDs entirely with a new generation of aircraft featuring advanced avionics, increased payload capacity, and, importantly, the PS-90A-76 engine.
The IAF is currently evaluating its options for the future of its transport fleet. Whether the Indian government will opt for the engine upgrade, the acquisition of new Il-76MD-90A aircraft, or a combination of both remains to be seen.
This decision will have significant implications for the IAF's long-term strategic airlift capabilities.
