Russian aircraft manufacturer Aviastar-SP, based in Ulyanovsk, will upgrade three Antonov An-124 Ruslan (NATO reporting name: Condor) heavy transport planes, the manufacturer’s press office told TASS on Tuesday in a message.

"Under a government contract, Aviastar-SP JSC will modernize three An-124 planes - one in 2016 and two in 2017," the message says.

According to the press office, individual elements of the planes will be upgraded to improve their characteristics and reliability and extend their service life.

"The An-124s will be upgraded to An-124-100 standard," the manufacturer said.

The An-124 heavy airlifter is designed for carrying large-size cargo as well as large groups of troops and their materiel. It has a maximum lifting capacity of 120 tons, a maximum speed of 865 km/h and a full-load range of 4,800 km. According to US publication Military Balance, the Russian Aerospace Force operates a fleet of nine An-124s, with the Volga-Dnepr air carrier flying 10 more.