Il-76/78 Candid/Midas/Mainstay
The four-turbofan Il-76M/MD long-range transport continues as the main transport type of the CIS air force. India ordered 20, to replace An-12s. A three-point hose-and-drogue tanker variant, the Il-78 Midas, became operational during 1987. Many of these aircraft, however, have been inherited by Ukraine, leaving the air force with a shortfall. Around 20 of the A-50 Mainstay airborne-warning and control-system derivatives of the Candid are operational. The A-50U, an upgraded variant of the AEW, was shown in 1995.
Source: Flight International
