In the coming few years the total demand from southeast countries for Il-76 combat-support cargo aircraft and Il-78 air refueling tanker will surpass 50, a spokesman of Russian air company Ilyushin said at the 8th Pulau Langkawi air show held in Malaysia.

Russia is talking with several southeast Asian countries over the selling of Il-76. Experts estimate demand of 12 sets from Malaysia and Indonesia respectively. Besides, Vietnam and Thailand showed strong interest in Il-76MF, a heavy cargo aircraft equipped with PS-90A engine.

Persian Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia and the UAE also expressed their intention to purchase Il-76. Ilyushin leaders also expect an order from Jordan.

Russia inked a deal with China in last September to provide 38 Il-76MD military cargo aircraft and Il-78MK air refueling tanker (equipped with D-30KP-2 engine). According to the contract, Russia will also provide China will 240 sets of engines from 2006 to 2010, their total value exceeding 300 million US dollars. The whole contract is worth about 1 billion dollars. All these planes will be assembled by Tashkent Aircraft Production Corporation, Uzbekistan.

By People's Daily Online