Egyptian IL-76MF in Paris
Egyptian Air Force Ilyushin IL-76MF Lands at Paris-Orly
August 15, 2025 Aviation enthusiasts were treated to a remarkable sight on Friday as an Egyptian Air Force Ilyushin IL-76MF, registration SU-BTY, touched down at Paris-Orly Airport (LFPO). The presence of this rare strategic airlifter, seldom seen in Western Europe, quickly drew the attention of spotters around the airport.
Egyptian Air Force Ilyushin IL-76MF Landin on runway 06
A Unique Aircraft
The IL-76MF is a modernized version of the iconic Soviet-era Ilyushin IL-76 “Candid”, featuring a stretched fuselage and upgraded engines. Only a handful of this variant were ever built, with several delivered to Egypt in the early 2000s.
Registered SU-BTY, the aircraft plays a crucial role in Egypt’s strategic airlift fleet, used for military logistics, humanitarian relief, and long-range transport missions.
IL76MF taxiing to line up on runway 07
The IL-76MF, A Rare Military Freighter
Designed as an evolution of the famous IL-76 "Candid," the Ilyushin IL-76MF remains today one of the rarest and most specialized versions of the Soviet four-engine strategic transport family. While several hundred of the basic model were produced and exported worldwide, the MF variant can be counted on the fingers of one hand.
The IL-76MF was developed by the Ilyushin design bureau in the 1990s, the objective was to modernize the IL-76 by increasing its payload capacity and range, while equipping it with more efficient engines.
The fuselage was lengthened by 6.6 meters, bringing the overall length to nearly 53 meters, and cargo capacity was increased.
The PS-90A-76 engines, more powerful and compliant with international noise standards, replaced the old Soviet D-30KP.
Conclusion
The arrival of an IL-76MF at Orly is highly unusual. Military flights in the Paris region are generally concentrated at Villacoublay or Le Bouget. For aviation spotters, witnessing such a rare aircraft on Orly’s tarmac was an exceptional opportunity, given the very limited number of IL-76MFs ever produced.
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