Il-76s for the SAAF?

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Il-76s for the SAAF?

A SA National Defence Force (SANDF) project team is burning the midnight oil on an urgent study to ensure extra airlift capacity for the SA Air Force (SAAF) becomes a reality.

Afrikaans daily Beeld reports Ilyushin 76s (Il-76s) are top of the list to supplement the ageing C-130BZs operated by 28 Squadron.

The acquisition of at least three of the massive Russian transport aircraft, probably second hand, is seen as essential to providing support for South African peacekeeping and peace support deployments on the continent.

The acquisition will be paid for out of the Strategic Capital Acquisition Master Plan (SCAMP), the paper reported.

Defence analyst Helmoed Heitman told the paper the establishment of the airlift project team could be traced back to the Central African Republic (CAR) deployment and the Battle for Bangui earlier this year. This because no suitable aircraft were available at short notice to fly much-needed Mamba vehicles to South African troops.

Lockheed Martin, manufacturers of the C-130, has made presentations to the SAAF as regards replacing the BZ, which has been in service for 50 years, with the new C-130J. The gap in airlift capacity became more pronounced when government bailed out of the Airbus Military A400M programme in 2009 citing cost escalations and production delays as the reasons for South Africa no longer wanting to be a risk sharing partner in the new generation airlifter. A deposit of R3.5 billion was refunded but indications earlier this year were at least part of that money was allocated to the controversial Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP).

Heitman told Beeld’s specialist defence writer Erika Gibson the SAAF has never before operated Russian aircraft and, if Il-76s were acquired, it would mean an overhaul of the logistic system to keep them operational. There are also currently no SAAF pilots rated on the Il-76.

The SANDF has used chartered Il-76s to transport equipment to places like the Democratic Republic of Congo for peacekeeping missions, as it is difficult to fit aircraft like Oryx helicopters into the SAAF’s C-130s without major dismantling. Chartering aircraft is an expensive undertaking – for example the SANDF spent R108 million chartering aircraft for operations in the Central African Republic between January and April this year.

The Il-76 is a four-engined strategic airlifter that first flew in March 1971. Nearly a thousand of these robust aircraft have been built for military and commercial operators around the world, with hundred still in service. The aircraft can carry between 42 and 52 tonnes of payload, depending on the model.
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Not really. It has a excellent record world wide.
As a leased agreement it makes sense.
See this comment.
Flash28 2013-11-13 14:10
I quite like this idea. The Il-76MD-90A-TF is a medium to long range aircraft and is equipped with the newer powerful Aviadvigatel PS-90 turbojet engines. This aircraft is ideally suited for transporting outsized cargo and has an extended fuselage increasing its payload capacity compared to previous IL-76 models.

It has a 1,800 m runway requirement and a 60 ton maximum payload capacity.

If it's cheaper than acquiring and operating the C-17 than it's a logical choice since the C-17 is exorbitantly expensive to acquire and operate.

Canada used it as it's main equipment carrier to Afghanistan. It's currently still in production. Spares are plentiful.

The only drawbacks I can think of are:

1) Nato/US/European interoperabilit y but the SANDF is more geared towards UN peace keeping within Africa so that shouldn't be too big of an issue.

2) As Helmoed Heitman mentioned in the Beeld article it would mean an overhaul of the logistic system to keep them operational and training of pilots.

IMO, point 2 shouldn't stop the SAAF and the SANDF from considering Russian equipment.

For instance the S-300 & S-400 Triumf (SA-21 Growler) new generation anti-aircraft systems are far cheaper to acquire and operate. South Africa could never afford systems like AEGIS, THAAD, PATRIOT, ARROW2 etc. It requires far less maintenance than Western Systems.

Although Western 5th Generation Aircraft are far superior than Russian made Fighter Aircraft, and far more maintenance friendly with regards to engine overall and efficiency.

Even if South Africa's GDP tripled and the Defense Budget Doubled, the SAAF would still not be able to afford Jets such as the latest Eurofighter or F-35 JSF. The Future Sukhoi PAK FA T-50 is far more affordable.

Perhaps what South Africa should aim to do is be a centre of excellence for the maintenance of Russian made aircraft for Sub-Saharan Africa and especially the Middle East and start to produce weapon systems and upgrades as ATE did for the Superhind-35 project.

Would love to hear Helmoed Heitman and Dr Richard's views.
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aren't IL-76 banned from western Europe?
http://www.shippingonline.cn/news/newsContent.asp?id=14312

also don't some dodgy east African air carriers use them? aren't they even banned from operating in Europe airspace?

don't get me wrong I love ex soviet aircraft, but unless you bring a few ex soviet mechanics to fix them,
things going to get quite hard for our already overstretched air force mechanics.
 
Still in production?

The factory got shut down ages ago. They are trying to start another factory. The Chinese ordered some and all they got were the airframes.
 
eg2505 said:
aren't IL-76 banned from western Europe?
http://www.shippingonline.cn/news/newsContent.asp?id=14312

also don't some dodgy east African air carriers use them? aren't they even banned from operating in Europe airspace?

don't get me wrong I love ex soviet aircraft, but unless you bring a few ex soviet mechanics to fix them,
things going to get quite hard for our already overstretched air force mechanics.
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I dont think aircraft gets banned ... it is the operators that gets banned from EU airspace. TAAG from Angola was banned for example from flying to EU due to poor safety and maintenance.
 
Ockie said:
I dont think aircraft gets banned ... it is the operators that gets banned from EU airspace. TAAG from Angola was banned for example from flying to EU due to poor safety and maintenance.
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They had to change engines to be able to fly in Europe. Aircraft have been banned, or had restrictions placed on them, like Concorde. Usually it is operators though.
 
but you do get many ex soviet aircraft banned from Europe because of these reasons,

I know the AN 225 is flying around Europe these days, or is it because its the only one of its kind? with its unique capability's
 
eg2505 said:
but you do get many ex soviet aircraft banned from Europe because of these reasons,

I know the AN 225 is flying around Europe these days, or is it because its the only one of its kind? with its unique capability's
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Because it is mainly dodge airlines flying them perhaps? :-)
 
As a stopgap it makes sense.
Not many players in the Strategic Airlift market.
Russia is trying to start up their production lines and resurrecting 15 year old prototypes.
The US has a very long waiting list and is expesive, Brazil is still developing theirs and Europe has the expensive A400M.
Dry lease them for a few years, then buy something new. We can't be dependent on chartered operators for our requirements.
 
Another arms deal....

The acquisition will be paid for out of the Strategic Capital Acquisition Master Plan (SCAMp), the paper reported.
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I am all for it as long as there is no backhanding involved, as usual. Our military was one of the best at a stage, now its one of the best jokes most of the time. So I'm all for getting 'new' equipment as long as its done right.
 
Albereth said:
Still in production?

The factory got shut down ages ago. They are trying to start another factory. The Chinese ordered some and all they got were the airframes.
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ORLY?

Ilyushin Aviation Complex wins three nominations at once at the annual contest “Aircraft builder of the year”
01 November 2013


Ilyushin Aviation Complex achievements were marked at the annual contest “Aircraft builder of the year”. The company won two awards “Best innovative project” and “For new model designing”. In recognition of his services, IL General Director – General Constructor Viktor Livanov was awarded first place diploma “For personal contribution in the development of aviation industry”. Winners were selected among 103 enterprises of Russian aviation sector.

This landmark event demonstrates the united approach of the IL company and Russian aviation industry to solving the task of recapturing the country’s sky by homeland aircraft
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source
 
Ugly works
From wikipedia
As Afghan rebels were unable to shoot down high-flying Il-76s, their tactics were to try and damage it at take-off or landing. Il-76s were often hit by shoulder-launched Stinger and Strela heat-seeking missiles and large-calibre machine-gun fire, but because the strong airframes were able to take substantial damage and still remain operational, the aircraft had a remarkably low attrition rate during the period of conflict.
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