Russia to Revitalize Legendary Antonov An‑124 for Enhanced Military and Commercial Use

The Army Recognition portal, citing Russian sources, reports that plans are in motion to transport the Antonov An-124 to the Aviastar Aircraft Repair Facility at Ulyanovsk Vostochny Airport for significant refurbishment and upgrades.

This decision comes in the wake of considerable losses in their fleet of transport aircraft. The aircraft earmarked for return to service has been in storage at the Seshcha Air Base in the Bryansk region for nearly a quarter of a century. This prolonged dormancy implies that extensive work is needed. The renovation project aims not only to restore the aircraft’s flight readiness but also to possibly enhance its operational role and applications in both military and commercial settings.

It's noteworthy that the Antonov An-124, designated for refurbishment, has been idle at the airport for over two decades, subjected to harsh weather conditions throughout this period. Aviastar engineers are tasked with reversing these weather-induced deteriorations.

For the Russian Federation, revitalizing this aircraft is deemed crucial for its robust payload capacity. The reintroduction of this type of aircraft will enable the Russians to address numerous logistical challenges more efficiently, such as rapidly transporting fuel, ammunition, and parts essential for military equipment maintenance.

The Antonov An-124, with a storied history tracing back to the late '70s, saw its first flight on December 24, 1982, after three years of dedicated effort. Following the destruction of its larger counterpart, the Antonov An-225 Mriya, at Kyiv-Hostomel Airport, the An-124 has ascended to become the largest transport aircraft globally.

The dimensions of the An-124 are staggering: almost 230 feet in length, 69 feet in height, and a wingspan exceeding 239 feet. Its size dwarfs that of the commonly encountered Boeing 737-800 passenger plane, which has a 115 feet wingspan. The An-124’s cargo hold can accommodate up to 330,693 lbs. To facilitate loading and unloading, the aircraft is equipped with a crane capable of handling cargo up to 66,138 lbs.

Despite its mammoth size, the An-124's performance is not compromised. Powered by four Progress D-18T engines, each generating 51,587 lbf of thrust, the aircraft achieves a maximum speed of 537 mph. It has a range of over 6,835 miles on a full tank holding 68,680 gallons of fuel. A noteworthy feature of the An-124, crucial for its versatility, is its ability to land on less than ideal runways, courtesy of specially designed landing gear.