The Russian Aerospace Forces' Military Transport Aviation (MTA) branch received its first in four years IL-6MD-90A military transport aircraft, a Sputnik correspondent reported on Tuesday from the solemn ceremony held at Aviastar-SP, an aircraft manufacturing plant based in the city of Ulyanovsk in the Volga Region
ULYANOVSK (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 02nd April, 2019) The Russian Aerospace Forces' Military Transport Aviation (MTA) branch received its first in four years IL-6MD-90A military transport aircraft, a Sputnik correspondent reported on Tuesday from the solemn ceremony held at Aviastar-SP, an aircraft manufacturing plant based in the city of Ulyanovsk in the Volga Region."I do not hesitate to say that this is a historic event for the country, for those who constructed it [IL-6MD-90A] and for those who will use it. This is in fact a new aircraft. I have no doubt that this aircraft has a wonderful long life ahead," MTA Commander Lt. Gen. Vladimir Benediktov said.
Under the signed contract, the MTA is expected to receive 39 aircraft, with their total cost amounting to around 140 billion rubles ($2.14 billion).
Alexey Rogozin, the CEO of the manufacturer, Ilyushin Aviation Complex, said that the company would deliver six IL-76MD-90A aircraft to the MTA in 2019.
"We plan to deliver six IL-76MD-90A aircraft this year," Rogozin said at the solemn ceremony of the first aircraft handover.
Benediktov recalled that a whole range of aircraft was being created on the basis of the modernized IL-76, including a tanker aircraft and an A-100 "flying radar."
IL-6MD-90A heavy transport aircraft is designed for cross-regional cargo deliveries. It can also be used for injured and ill people transportation and for fire fighting. Its maximum commercial payload amounts to 60 tonnes, while its maximum take-off weight makes 210 tonnes.
