Russia’s first military transport plane designed from scratch during the post-Soviet era completed its maiden flight after several postpones.

Ilyushin Il-112V, the light transport plane will replace the ageing Antonov An-26 and An-24 airlifters in the Russian military.

The 24-meter-long aircraft took off from a runway at a test range in Voronezh, spent some 45 minutes in the air, flying at a speed of around 250 km/h and circling over the area several times before landing.

The model uses only domestically-produced parts, can carry up to 5 tons of cargo and is said to be much more efficient than the Soviet-designed Antonov transport plane it is meant to retire.

The flight was being performed on the eve of the 125th birth anniversary of Soviet aircraft designer Sergei Ilyushin.

The aircraft’s maiden flight was postponed several times.