MOSCOW, December 26. /TASS/. The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) produced six Il-76MD-90A airlifters this year and plans to raise the annual output to 18 aircraft, UAC CEO Yury Slyusar told the Rossiya 24 TV.

"The Defense Ministry will need a huge number of the airlifters in the coming years. (We plan) to produce at least 18 aircraft in Ulyanovsk a year. This year we made six airlifters, but it is a success as the Ulyanovsk Aircraft Plant did not engage in serial production in the hard times," he said.

The enterprise has to hire additional 2,500 workers to fulfil the production program, he added.

Il-76MD-90A is an upgraded Il-76 (Candid by NATO classification). A new navigational complex, automatic controls and communications increase flight safety and airdrop precision. The latest modification is distinguished by new equipment, including a glass cockpit, modern PS-90A-76 engines, a modified wing and reinforced chassis. The flying range is five thousand kilometers with a 52-ton payload.