The Russian Air Force is preparing to sell off its entire fleet of giant An-124 heavy cargo aircraft. Given the NATO-U.S. code name Condor, the Antonov An-124 aircraft is slightly larger than the U.S. Air Force C-5 Galaxy transports. There are 21 of the An-124s available for commercial sale.
The An-124-100M-150 model is capable of transporting single or multiple items of cargo weighing up to 150 metric tons (330,000 pounds) including such outsize items as construction vehicles and missiles. The An-124, for example, is the only aircraft that can carry the Boeing 777’s new GE90 engines.
The civil An-124–100 was certified in 1992, and meets all civil standards including ICAO Stage/Chapter III noise limits and modern navigational equipment requirements. From a commercial viewpoint, the efficiency of the An-124 can be seen by its ability to carry roughly twice the cargo of a U.S. C-17 Globemaster at a significantly lower operating cost per aircraft. The An-124 has more than 14 years experience of intensive, global commercial operations.
The major problem with Russian commercial aircraft in the past has been the poor after-sales support in comparison with Western manufacturers. The Antonov organization is developing a support capability similar to those of Western aviation firms and an Antonov support facility was recently opened in Leipzig, Germany.
Aviation industry sources indicate that Russian Minister of Defense Anatoly Serdyukov has offered four An-124s for sale in the near-term, with the remainder to follow before the end of 2007.
The Russian Air Force ceased flying its 21 An-124s in December 2005 and the aircraft have been grounded since that time. Currently, NATO leases six other Russian and Ukrainian An-124–100 cargo aircraft under an arrangement known as the Strategic Airlift Interim Solution (SALIS).
In the future NATO will use C-17 cargo aircraft to help relieve its severe airlift shortage.
So this thing can carry two M1 Abrams? Why not buy these puppies up and use them to transport 42 M1s into theater (wherever that may be)?
This really sucks.
Canada was recently looking for a ‘heavy cargo plane’ and considered this beast. The problem was is they wanted to lease it to them and refused to sell it.
Now.. they got a bunch they want to sell.
No way in a million years would DND have gone for Russian airplanes when they can send the money to US firms who can hire them as lobbyists later.
Yes, Minister O’Connor, I’m talking to you.
I don’t buy the idea of a lower operating cost. Russian engines aren’t as efficient or as reliable as Western designs, and this plane requires a bigger crew. Add on top of that that Russian military aircraft are generally meant for short wartime operating lives, and it’s hard to imagine how the An-124 has an advantage other than it’s cheaper to purchase in the first place. The An-124 has found a niche for itself in the commercial market because there’s no real alternative available for heavy airlift (everything else is almost exclusively military), and there were a lot of these planes available and already paid for when the Soviet Union collapsed.
With demand in the oil and gas drilling equipment business at an all time high, there may be a need to have a few of these heavy lift aircraft needed to deliver rigs and other heavy, out-sized equipment world-wide.
I’ve seen them parked in Calgary and the Amsterdam airport used for this very purpose.
it may be true that they are inefficient compared to more modern heavy lift aircraft, but you sure can stuff alot inside it and you’ll probably only require one load.
This may be pretty good timing by the Russians to unload them.
Perhaps someone can put a gym in one and start a mile high basketball league, or, turn it onto a concert-hall sized vomit comet.
It would be even wilder if we purchased one and installed the airborne optical laser in it for use as a BMD (given the size and weight of the laser and fuel, we may need it).
I don’t buy the idea of a lower operating cost
Neither do I– the Russians had all the spares and weren’t marking them up for their own use– that’s all.
There’s a reason they are selling them–
That said –if you get a reasonable supply of spare parts, and a good inspection pans out– they might be worth it–
We are interested in firms with operational experience on the AN124.
How can I contact them about these aircraft, I am interested in buying these for Heavy Lift Aircraft for service to the Oil and Gas, mining and metals, power production and others with heavy lift needs !
Oil and Gas Mining and metals, large construction projects like power plants as well as others that have a need for large and over sized air cargo is exactly the market I am talking about. How do we contact the seller of these aircraft, I would buy the whole lot.
we are an Egyptian company for import-export we are looking forward to buy 4 aircraft antonov 124 for one of our biggest dealers
So we need to know your price list to start working on it .
we are interested in your offer,please if you be kind and inform us about all details,or way to contact you.
thx you.
Hello, could anybody throw light on how to acquire these — either as a “buy” or on long-term lease (if still available)? Thank you !!
Markets for these planes:
International Rescue aid missions
Air Cargo
TV & Movie use.
Disaster relief.
skydiving.
heavy industrial loads.
Test plane
Or Museum planes
BUT given IF to fly US UK engines & avionics & test airframe out.
Sweet.
Need about 100.
Markets for these planes:
International Rescue aid missions
Air Cargo
TV & Movie use.
Disaster relief.
skydiving.
heavy industrial loads.
Test plane
Or Museum planes
BUT given IF to fly US UK engines & avionics & test airframe out.
Sweet.
Need about 100.
To Christian Lowe
My name is j.r. your email is not working from this website. I have a client who is interested in pricing your cargo jet. Can you please send me a e-mail at silicon.m@gmail.com
thank you
I agree and I will take the at Nicklan@Telus.net
Were looking at purchasing AN124 aircraft for our operations in Africa. Are you selling as a package or individualy, please indicate price and maintenance staus along with what support you can give
Hi, we here at Angvestco would like to purchase the 1985 cargo planes of models,AN124, AN224, IL76. Pls fwd me a detailed quotation to angvestco@yahoo.com asap.
Were looking at purchasing aircraft for our operations including 2 seat fast jets, rotary and transport aircraft. Are you selling as a package or individualy, please indicate price and maintenance staus along with what support you can give
I am seriuosly looking to buy a 40 ton cargo aircraft for Relief Operations in Africa. Have 5 other aircraft too large for my supplies.
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