The then Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu received the latest information on the development of the Il-212 light military transport aircraft during a teleconference with aviation industry representatives in March 2024. The new aircraft, equipped with PD-8 jet engines, will replace the aging An-72 and An-26 fleets. This move will resolve a long-standing need in the military aviation sector of Russia.
The Il-212 is a substantial improvement over its predecessor, the Il-112V, which encountered numerous obstacles during its development. The new design incorporates critical modifications to improve the capabilities and reliability of the Il-112V while retaining its onboard equipment, avionics, and fuselage.
Several significant features set the Il-212 apart from its predecessors. It provides a streamlined replenishment and maintenance process, as well as an extended flight range and increased cargo capacity. Engineered to operate from unprepared dirt airstrips and capable of operating in Arctic conditions, the aircraft adapts to a variety of military operations. Similar to the An-72 design, the PD-8 jet engines mounted above the wings are one of its most notable features.
The elevated engine placement serves two critical functions: it reduces the likelihood of foreign object damage to the engines and enables operations from unprepared airstrips. In addition, the aircraft will be equipped with new fuel and hydraulic systems, and redesign its wings and landing gear to improve its reliability and performance.
The Il-212 development process started in October 2023 with Sergei Shoigu’s announcement of his intention to create a contemporary successor for the An-72 and An-26 aircraft. By March 2024, the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) had initiated the technical design process. The manufacturing of the initial prototype is expected to be in late 2026, marking a significant milestone in the project’s advancement.
The Il-212 project leverages the knowledge and skills gained from the Il-112V program, which faced significant challenges during its development. The Il-112V’s journey was intricate and replete with obstacles, some of which were the result of unsuccessful international collaborations. The aircraft was initially developed in collaboration with India under the designation IL-112 as part of a more extensive military-technical partnership between the two nations. However, geopolitical shifts and divergent priorities terminated this partnership, leading Russia to pursue the project independently.
The dissolution of the partnership with India was just one of many challenges. Critical issues with the propulsion system also plagued the Il-112V. The original design specified TV-117S turboprop engines, which faced performance and reliability concerns. These engine issues substantially exacerbated the project’s delays and raised concerns regarding the aircraft’s feasibility.
Development continued, albeit at a slow pace, in spite of these obstacles. The Il-112V’s first flight ultimately took place in March 2019, despite the fact that it was years behind the original schedule. An extensive period of modifications and enhancements was subsequent to this milestone, which was based on the data collected during the first flight. The aircraft did not make its second flight until the end of March 2021, highlighting the complexity of the issues under consideration.
The program encountered its most grievous setback in August 2021, which was a tragic development. The initial Il-112V prototype crash-landed during a training flight prior to its intended participation in the Army-2021 international military-technical forum, resulting in the loss of its entire crew. The aircraft’s propulsion system was once again the subject of scrutiny following a fire in the right engine, which preceded the accident. This catastrophic incident immediately suspended the Il-112V project in anticipation of a comprehensive investigation into the accident’s causes.
The investigation and subsequent analysis uncovered significant issues with the aircraft’s propulsion system and design. Ultimately, the findings influenced the decision to substantially revise the project, resulting in the development of the Il-212 and its conversion to jet engines. This transition from the troubled turboprop engines to the PD-8 jet engines marks a crucial evolution in the aircraft’s design, aiming to overcome the reliability and performance issues that plagued its predecessor.
The design of the new Il-212 aims to tackle the challenges faced by its predecessor, providing the Russian military with a modern, reliable, and versatile light transport aircraft. The integration of the PD-8 engines, also under development for the SSJ-New passenger aircraft and the Be-200 amphibious aircraft, demonstrates Russia’s commitment to advancing its domestic aviation technology.
The Il-212’s development is a critical step in the modernization of Russia’s military transport capabilities. By overcoming the constraints of previous designs and integrating cutting-edge technologies, the Il-212 stands poised to play a critical role in supporting Russian military operations across a variety of terrains and conditions. Both domestic and international observers in the aviation and defense sectors will closely monitor the project as it progresses toward its 2026 prototype production target.
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