IL-78 - Gajraj
Origin: Russia
Type: Heavy freight transport.
Accommodation: Four crew.
Weights: Empty - 75,000 kg (165,347 lbs.)
............MTOW - 170,000 kg (374,786 lbs.)
Engine: Four Soloviev D-30KP-1 turbofans, each producing 26,455 lbs. of thrust.
Speed: Maximum - 459 knots (528 mph; 850 km/h) at 11,000 meters (36,090 feet)
..........Max. cruising speed - 432 knots (497 mph; 800 km/h)
Service Ceiling: 12,000 meters (39,370 ft.)
Range: Maximum - 3107 miles (5000 km) with a 40,000 kg (88,185 lbs.) payload.
Capacity: 225 paratroopers or 40 tons freight, wheeled or tracked armoured vehicles, etc.
Avionics: Search Radar.
Armament: Twin 23mm cannon in tail turret.
Self Defence: Electronic Counter Measures (ECM).
Comments: Known as the Gajraj (King Elephant) in the IAF, the IL-76MD forms the strategic/heavy transport fleet. An estimated 28 aircraft are in service in two squadrons. Deliveries to the IAF began in 1985 and they were used in the Maldives in 1987 and in Sri Lanka during 1987-1990 to great effect. In 1990, two IL-76MDs were modified and their objective was to test the system's effectiveness to divert fire power of heat seeking air/surface-to-air missiles, shoulder-fired guns, and also jamming of radar by dispensing chaff around the aircraft.
Defence Minister Jaswant Singh, in a written reply to Parliament in July 2001, said the IAF is acquiring six IL-78/78M in-flight refueling aircraft from Uzbekistan. The price negotiation committee completed its work in February 2001 and the contracts were signed in April 2001. The price per aircraft has been put at approximately $50 million.
The first two Il-78s arrived in the first half of 2003 and are believed to be part of a newly raised No.78 "Battle Cry" Squadron. We should however mention that the information on the Squadron is yet to be confirmed by official sources. The Il-78MKI as it was designated in the IAF made its first public appearance in the Air Force Day Parade on 8th October 2003. It is evident from photographs that the Il-78s had carried out operations with the Su-30MKIs and various variants of the Jaguar family.
Type: Heavy freight transport.
Accommodation: Four crew.
Weights: Empty - 75,000 kg (165,347 lbs.)
............MTOW - 170,000 kg (374,786 lbs.)
Engine: Four Soloviev D-30KP-1 turbofans, each producing 26,455 lbs. of thrust.
Speed: Maximum - 459 knots (528 mph; 850 km/h) at 11,000 meters (36,090 feet)
..........Max. cruising speed - 432 knots (497 mph; 800 km/h)
Service Ceiling: 12,000 meters (39,370 ft.)
Range: Maximum - 3107 miles (5000 km) with a 40,000 kg (88,185 lbs.) payload.
Capacity: 225 paratroopers or 40 tons freight, wheeled or tracked armoured vehicles, etc.
Avionics: Search Radar.
Armament: Twin 23mm cannon in tail turret.
Self Defence: Electronic Counter Measures (ECM).
Comments: Known as the Gajraj (King Elephant) in the IAF, the IL-76MD forms the strategic/heavy transport fleet. An estimated 28 aircraft are in service in two squadrons. Deliveries to the IAF began in 1985 and they were used in the Maldives in 1987 and in Sri Lanka during 1987-1990 to great effect. In 1990, two IL-76MDs were modified and their objective was to test the system's effectiveness to divert fire power of heat seeking air/surface-to-air missiles, shoulder-fired guns, and also jamming of radar by dispensing chaff around the aircraft.
Defence Minister Jaswant Singh, in a written reply to Parliament in July 2001, said the IAF is acquiring six IL-78/78M in-flight refueling aircraft from Uzbekistan. The price negotiation committee completed its work in February 2001 and the contracts were signed in April 2001. The price per aircraft has been put at approximately $50 million.
The first two Il-78s arrived in the first half of 2003 and are believed to be part of a newly raised No.78 "Battle Cry" Squadron. We should however mention that the information on the Squadron is yet to be confirmed by official sources. The Il-78MKI as it was designated in the IAF made its first public appearance in the Air Force Day Parade on 8th October 2003. It is evident from photographs that the Il-78s had carried out operations with the Su-30MKIs and various variants of the Jaguar family.
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