MOSCOW. March 5 (Interfax) - A prototype of the Ilyushin Il-212, a new light military transport plane equipped with PD-8 turbojet engines, will be ready by the end of 2026, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said.
"The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has started developing the plane's technical design. The building of its prototype is planned for the end of 2026," Shoigu said at a teleconference with the Russian Armed Forces commanders on Tuesday.
Il-212s with PD-8 engines will replace the ageing fleet of the Antonov An-26 and An-72 planes, he said.
"The new transport plane will feature an increased payload capacity and range, as well as easy fueling and maintenance. On top of that, it will be able to use unpaved unequipped runways and be operated in Arctic latitudes," he said.