Russia’s first Ilyushin Il-112V military transport plane has been delivered for flight tests, the press office of the United Aircraft Corporation’s Transport Aviation Division reported on Tuesday. With a payload of 5 tonnes, it is intended to replace the An-24 and An-26 aircraft currently in service with the Russian Air Force. “On November 27, 2018, the procedure of delivering the first Il-112V prototype to the flight-testing station was held at the Voronezh Aircraft Enterprise,” the press office said.

The Il-112V light military transport plane is capable of carrying a maximum cargo of 5 tonnes and it is intended to transport troops, military hardware, various armaments and other cargoes.

The new plane is expected to be made in two modifications: for civilian aviation (the Il-112T) and for military transport aviation (the Il-112V). It was earlier reported that Russia plans to place an order for 62 new planes.