Ukraine Delivers First Upgraded IL-78 To The PAF

[Gripen9]

A310 MRTT would have been slightly better. I doubt USA had any inclination to not allow A330 MRTT, the only thing is that it probably would have been out of their budget allotment for aerial tankers. Another option is always to have upgraded Hercs with drogue style refueling.

Yes, we should look at getting some KC-130H from EDA stocks.

There is:

https://www.reddit.com/r/MilitaryPorn/comments/bphfsh

Iran is still flying one and has used it in a military attack on Iraq:

H-3 airstrike - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

I have seen them parked @ Mehrabad Int'l airport back in 1993. Surprisingly they were not in camo paint but with White/blue paint scheme.

 

[Bratva]

In Ukraine, completed the repair of the Pakistani Air Force IL-78 aerial refueling tanker​

View attachment 812845
IL-78 of the Pakistan Air Force on the territory of the Nikolaev Aircraft Repair Plant SE. Photo: Ukrspetsexport SE

Specialists of the Nikolaev Aircraft Repair Plan SE have completed the major overhaul and modernization of the aerial refueling tanker IL-78 of the Pakistan Air Force.

The press service of the Ukrspetsexport SE informed.

The work has been successfully fulfilled within the framework of a multi-million contract concluded between the state-owned enterprise Ukrspetsexport and the Procurement Office of the Pakistan Air Force in June 2020.


The Ukrspetsexport company won the tender for the repair of the Pakistani “air tanker” with the option to conclude additional contracts in the future.

IL-78 of the Pakistan Air Force takes off from the airport in Mykolaiv Photo: Ukrspetsexport SE
The recently restored and upgraded aircraft was transferred to the Pakistan Air Force and went to the base.

“The successful implementation of this contract is another confirmation of the high level of cooperation between Ukraine and Pakistan in the field of military-technical cooperation. We do not put an end to it, because we still have many joint projects ahead. And not only in the aviation industry,” – the Deputy Director General, the Ukrspetsexport SE, Artur Maksimov said.

The Ukrspetsexport called this event an important stage of cooperation with Pakistani partners.


According to Ukrspetsexport, more than ten export contracts over $150 million are currently being worked out in the armored industry alone.

“Further deepening of Ukrainian-Pakistani cooperation in the military-technical direction helps to strengthen not only the defense capability of our countries, but also fraternal relations between Ukraine and Pakistan,” – Artur Maximov said.

In June 2021 the General Director of the Ukrspetsexport SE Vadim Nozdrya within the framework of the international specialized exhibition Arms and Security, signed with the Pakistani side another contract for the modernization and repair of another IL-78 aerial refueling tanker of the Pakistan Air Force.

IL-78 of the Pakistan Air Force Photo: Wikipedia/Václav Paluzga

The Ilyushin Il-78 (NATO reporting name Midas) is developed and designed for refueling military aircraft in the air. It can also be used as a military transport aircraft.

During 2009-2012, four similar aircraft were delivered to Pakistan by Ukraine.

View attachment 812847

I guesss further upgrades are impossible now. Supply chain of Army and airforce are gonna get affected immensely.

 

[Zarvan]

I guesss further upgrades are impossible now. Supply chain of Army and airforce are gonna get affected immensely.

There are other companies through which we can get them upgraded.

 

[ziaulislam]

It was the backup option after the KC-135 and A310 MRTT. The PAF even tried asking for the A330 MRTT, but Airbus (likely under pressure from the US) declined to offer it. The only tenable AAR options right now are (1) the Embraer KC-390 (but with UPAZ pods); (2) Y-20U; and (3) swinging for the fences by modding the A330 with UPAZ mods.

Embraer is a good option if widely adopted
Since you may get some joint production and double it as transport

 

[Madni Bappa]

It was the backup option after the KC-135 and A310 MRTT. The PAF even tried asking for the A330 MRTT, but Airbus (likely under pressure from the US) declined to offer it. The only tenable AAR options right now are (1) the Embraer KC-390 (but with UPAZ pods); (2) Y-20U; and (3) swinging for the fences by modding the A330 with UPAZ mods.

KC390 has been emerging as a great design. How sanction prone would it be?

Ukrainians were also offering similar designs to Saudis and Turks.

Also in future how effective do you think CAATSA will be? I think this Russo-Ukrainian war has shown that gora world i.e US, EU (excluding Russia and few stragglers around it) is united. Together with some nations that they can put their foot down on.

But a good chunk of countries don't really want to pick a side once again under pressure from chitti chamri.

 

[Scorpiooo]

Russian and Ukrainian war may end up with more spares to be on sale post war to manage financial crisis

 

[Michel Niesten]

This IL-78 was returned just in time. A few weeks later and it might have been destroyed. As happened to Azerbaijan Mig-29’s under repair in Ukraine.

 

[Scorpiooo]

Soon war will be over, hopefully ukarian will be back on track in year or so, they will happily want to do these kind of upgrades even in lesser cost to cover there financial lost

Yes, we should look at getting some KC-130H from EDA stocks.


I have seen them parked @ Mehrabad Int'l airport back in 1993. Surprisingly they were not in camo paint but with White/blue paint scheme.

They need upgrades or can be used as it is

 

[Tornado23]

Soon war will be over, hopefully ukarian will be back on track in year or so, they will happily want to do these kind of upgrades even in lesser cost to cover there financial lost


They need upgrades or can be used as it is

I dont see Ukraine rebuilding its military manufacturing capability again looking at what Russia did.

Regardless of who wins, russia destroyed ukraines already weak manufacturing capability. Unless billions is invested into it bh external parties, i dont see it coming back

 

[Zibago]

So now that Ukranian option is dead lets speculate about something else

 

[Madni Bappa]

This IL-78 was returned just in time. A few weeks later and it might have been destroyed. As happened to Azerbaijan Mig-29’s under repair in Ukraine.

How many they lost in Ukraine?
We should intensify efforts to sell JF17s in that case. Maybe give 10% discount if needed.

So now that Ukranian option is dead lets speculate about something else

Mujhe lagta Roosya se hi hath milana pare ga. I don't know if China flies IL76s.

Kaafi saman Pakistan ka soviet hai.

 

[maverick1977]

Are the refuelers back ?

 

[Tamiyah]

Are the refuelers back ?

Yes, they are.

 

[SecularNationalist]

Damn how lucky we are.
Project was completed few weeks before the war broke out. Otherwise all the taxpayers money would have been strucked in that war torn country.

 

[razgriz19]

They were probably down there for maintenance check. Most likely C or D check equivalent.
Just because PAF operates it doesn't mean they have the capability to undertake such maintenance heavy tasks.