In Russia, the number of An-124 "Ruslan" military transport aircraft and civilian An-124-100 aircraft from the same series [developed by the Antonov Design Bureau - editor's note www1.ru] should double by 2025. Currently, domestic developers have the opportunity to modernize them.
This was stated by the head of the Russian Ministry of Defense, Sergei Shoigu, at a meeting with the leadership of UAC, which took place in Ulyanovsk at the PJSC "Il" "Aviastar" enterprise, where An aircraft are repaired and serviced.
"Rossiyskaya Gazeta" writes that previously the country could not produce these aircraft due to difficulties with engines. However, as Shoigu said at the meeting, Russia already has both the engines and the capacity to modernize Antonov aircraft.
The aircraft developed by the Antonov Design Bureau were produced with the D-18T engine [engine production was carried out at the Ukrainian plant "Motor Sich", which was nationalized in 2022 - editor's note www1.ru]. It is expected that the "Ruslans" will be equipped with PD-3 turbofan engines with a take-off thrust of up to 40 tons.
The production of such engines is planned to begin in the near future. In addition to the engine, the aircraft will receive a new defense system, which will make the An-124 safer.
