The Soviet-designed AN-124-100 Ruslan aircraft was used to transport helicopters to the United States. Maximus Air Cargo aircraft transported Mi-17 helicopters of the former Afghan Air Force to the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona. This is reported by The Drive.
Three helicopters were delivered to the United States to prevent the use of vehicles by the Taliban (a terrorist organization banned in Russia). Russian-made helicopters are being mothballed. The publication suggested that Ruslan transported the helicopters that the Afghan pilots left in Uzbekistan. In August, 24 Mi-17, UH-60 helicopters and 22 light aircraft arrived at the Termez Airbase.
Maximus Air Cargo, which is based at Abu Dhabi Airport, uses one AN-124-100 and two IL-76TD aircraft. The carrier operates Ruslan, which was completed in Kiev in 2003.
Earlier, the AN-124 Ruslan aircraft was used to deliver a prototype of the Russian Checkmate single-engine fighter to the UAE. A promising fighter was shown at the Dubai Airshow.
In September, the Defense Express publication suggested that the Ukrainian aviation industry depends on the resource of the AN-124-100 Ruslan aircraft. The last aircraft of this type will be out of airworthiness in the 2040s.
In August, the Polish edition of Defence24 assessed the state of the fleet of the Russian Air Force. The publication noted that the condition of the IL-78 and AN-124 fleet indicates a regression of the Air Force.
Daniil Irinin
