Il-276 SVTS

The Ilyushin Il-276 (SVTS, Sredniy Voyenno-Transportnyy Samolyot) is a medium military transport aircraft under development in Russia by Ilyushin, part of the United Aircraft Corporation. It is designed to carry up to 20 tonnes of cargo or as many as 150 paratroopers, and originated as a Russian-Indian joint programme before India withdrew in 2016. As of 2023 the aircraft had not flown and no examples had been delivered.

Development

The programme began as the Multi-Role Transport Aircraft (MTA), a joint venture between UAC and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited formally incorporated during Indian Defence Minister A. K. Antony's visit to Russia in October 2009. Each side committed US$300.35 million, for combined funding of US$600.7 million, and a subsidiary company was established to manage development. HAL chairman Ashok Nayak stated that India would take 45 aircraft and Russia 105, with Indian serial production to be carried out at HAL's Transport Aircraft Division in Kanpur. The type was intended to replace the Indian Air Force's Antonov An-32 fleet. In October 2012 HAL signed a preliminary design contract with UAC, under which joint design work began in Moscow with 30 Indian engineers alongside the UAC team. India cancelled its separate medium-lift transport tender in February 2015 in favour of the MTA, but on 13 January 2016 Russian state media reported that Ilyushin had frozen the joint project, with Russia assuming full responsibility for detailed design and production.

Izvestia reported in October 2017 that the aircraft had received the designation Il-276 in June 2017, replacing the earlier Il-214 project name, and that the Russian defence ministry required no fewer than 55 units. In June 2020 the Russian Ministry of Defence selected the Il-276 as its new medium transport aircraft. At Aero India 2023 a Rostec delegation proposed renewing Indian participation, including local sale and assembly, though India favoured a European powerplant. Russian press reported flight testing was expected in 2023 and first deliveries in 2026, with Ilyushin targeting an annual production rate of 12 aircraft by 2029. India announced it would resume work with Russia on the project in 2026.

Design

The Il-276 has a high-mounted wing and a T-tail, powered by two Aviadvigatel PD-14M turbofans rated at 152.98 kN each. The cargo hold cross-section is comparable to that of the Il-76 but roughly half the length, giving a maximum payload of 20,000 kg. Length is 37.7 m, wingspan 35.5 m, height 12.95 m, wing area 160 m², and maximum take-off weight 72,000 kg with a fuel capacity of 30,700 kg. Maximum speed is 870 km/h and cruise speed 800 km/h, with a service ceiling of 13,100 m. Range is 2,000 km with a full 20-tonne payload and 7,300 km ferry. Take-off and landing runs are each 1,050 m. The crew numbers three and capacity is 70 to 150 passengers.

Variants

• MTA / Il-214: Original Russian-Indian Multi-Role Transport Aircraft project designation, used until the Il-276 name was adopted in June 2017.
• Civil variant: Proposed 100-seat passenger derivative for which HAL was to be lead partner and principal integrator; not proceeded with after the 2016 split.