Russia scraps unique Il‑76PP jet amid urban redevelopment
Russian local media are reporting on the unusual fate of the unique Ilyushin Il-76PP aircraft. According to available information, work is underway in Irkutsk to dismantle it, and ultimately, this one-of-a-kind machine will be scrapped.
The Ukrainian service Militarny has noted the unusual reports from Russia. They highlight that Russian media are reporting the ongoing dismantling of the globally unique Il-76PP aircraft. According to Irk.rus, citing eyewitnesses, the process began in November 2024 on the order of the Russian Ministry of Defence, which owns the aircraft, and is expected to continue until the end of the year.
Russians dispose of the Il-76PP
This activity is reportedly related to plans to build a residential complex on the site of the former Aviation School airport in Irkutsk. Militarny notes that the area where the Il-76PP is located no longer belongs to the ministry, and the aircraft itself cannot be relocated due to its size.
The Il-76PP is a specialised version of the Soviet Il-76 transport aircraft, designed in the mid-1980s as an airborne electronic warfare (EW) platform. Its primary function was to disrupt and neutralise enemy radar and communication systems, which was crucial in military operations, particularly during conflicts where electronic dominance was significant.
In terms of construction, the Il-76PP was based on the military transport Il-76MD. However, it was equipped with advanced electronic jamming systems, antennas, and additional devices supporting EW activities. Despite these modifications, it retained the basic performances of the Il-76 series, such as a maximum takeoff weight of about 190,500 kilograms and a range of around 4,000–5,000 kilometres, depending on load and operating conditions.
The Il-76PP was tested until the 1990s. However, as Militarny reports, the aircraft ultimately did not enter serial production. Issues included unreliable radio equipment. In 1992, the aircraft was relocated to the grounds of the aforementioned Aviation School airport in Irkutsk, where it has remained until now.
