Russian bombers carrying out weapons exercise in waters near Japan

The Russian Defence Ministry has said up to 40 strategic bombers will participate in five-day drills in Russia’s Maritime Territory near the Japanese border. 30 Tu-95MS Bear strategic bombers and 10 Tu-22M3 Backfires will drop bombs and launch airborne cruise missiles at the Litovka test range, with 2 Il-78 Midas carrying out aerial refueling.

VIDEO: Iranian Air Force Il-76 "Simorgh" AEW crash in 2009

The video was shot from a IRIAF Boeing 707 tanker's boom operator station. You can see the Il-76MD "Simorgh" AEW&C (ex Iraqi Air Force Adnan) going down in flames in the background.

It is believed that it collided with an F-5E Tiger II interceptor on route to Iran-Iraq War anniversary fly-by in southern Tehran.

All crew were killed.

VIDEO: India inducts first Il-76 Phalcon AEW&C aircraft

Rosoboronexport to pitch Il-476 to China

Interfax-AVN (h/t to China Defence Blog) is reporting that the Russian state arms export agency Rosoboronexport will offer the Il-476/Il-76MD-90A transport to China. An earlier Chinese order for Il-76/78s was not completed due to the inability of Ilyushin's Tashkent plant to build the aircraft.

Indian A-50 Mainstay AEW deliveries complete

Russia has sent a third A-50EI Airborne Early Warning aircraft to Israel for equipment fitout, completing its end of a 2004 deal with the Indian Air Force for three aircraft. The A-50 is based on the Ilyushin Il-76 transport and is fitted with the Israeli Phalcon radar.

RAF and IAF AEWACs participate in joint exercise.

Indian and Royal Air Force Airborne Early Warning aircraft are participating in Exercise “Indradhanush” at West Bengal's Kalaikunda Airbase. The RAF's Eurofighter Typhoons, E-3D Sentry and VC-10 tankers are involved in the exercise with IAF SU-30MKIs, Mirage 2000s, MiG-27s and Il-76 AEW aircraft.

India seeks Il-76 AEW improvements; seeking more aircraft

India has reportedly asked Israel for additional improvements to the third Ilyushin Il-76 Phalcon AEW that the Indian Air Force has ordered. They are also seeking additional AEW aircraft, either more Il-76s or Gulfstream G550s.