Ilyushin Company has implemented a state contract for overhaul and upgrade of five Il-38 anti-submarine aircraft operated by Russian navy to Il-38N version. A solemn handover ceremony dedicated to delivery of the fifth upgraded production Il-38N “Novella” aircraft to the Command of the naval aviation of Russian navy was held at the airfield of Gromov Flight Research Institute.

In the network of this upgrade the aircraft were fitted with the new “Novella-P-38” search-and-track system, which significantly expanded the vehicles combat capabilities and allowed the aircraft to carry out a wider range of missions. The aircraft was named after Chief Designer of “Novella-P-38” search-and-track system installed on the aircraft – Fedor Zolotukhin.

The first upgraded Il-38 was handed over to Russian Ministry of Defense in July 2014.

“We have implemented the first state contract. The contract experienced difficulties, but the vehicles have been upgraded. This aircraft looks great and we hope that it will serve our homeland,” Ilyushin Company CEO Sergey Velmozhkin said. 

In his own turn, UAC Deputy Director for Directorate of special aviation programs Valeri Vvedenski said: “Today we implemented the contract for delivery of the first five upgraded production Il-38 aircraft. And this fact sets an even more important goal for us – to help Russian Ministry of Defense put the aircraft into operation and to assure its continued airworthiness”. 

The Command of the naval aviation of the Russian navy said that Il-38N aircraft are great and promising, and expressed hope that the cooperation will continue.