The first IL-78M-90A tanker aircraft for the Russian Aerospace Forces was rolled out from the Aviastar-SP production facility in the Ulyanovsk Oblast on 29 November.

The IL-78M-90A is an improved version of Soviet tanker aircraft Il-78 based on Il-76MD-90А military transport aircraft. The new aircraft powered by four PS-90A-76 turbofan engines instead of D-30KP-2.

The modernization program focuses on the replacement of flight, navigation, radio communications, lighting and other equipment deemed obsolete that will be removed adding modern avionics.

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The aircraft will allow simultaneous fuelling of two front-line planes (Su-27, MiG-29) with wing-mounted fuelling units. The tail unit allows refueling of long-range and special-purpose aircraft. Also when used on the ground the Il-78M-90A will allow simultaneous refueling of four aircraft.