Russia provided the Syrian Air Force an Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft
A Twitter account which monitors the Syrian Air Force at May 5 2019 reported about a new addition to the Syrian Air Force. The Tweet shows a photo of a Russian made Ilyushin Il-76-MD cargo aircraft wearing the Syrian flag and civilian registration YK-ATF.
The aircraft is a former Russian Air Force aircraft which leads to the conclusion Russia donated, leased or sold it to Syria. Syria uses the IL-76 to transport weapons, troops and ammunition.
New Il-76T Syrian Air (leased or donated?) appears with new reg. YK-ATF, it means there is ATE also.
This leads to a conclusion that Syrian Air is operating five Candids nowadays. pic.twitter.com/xunTioTIFe— LuftwaffeAS (@LuftwaffeAS) May 8, 2019
This registration is sofar unknown in aviation databases available on internet. Untill recently the Syrian Airforce had four IL-76 transport aircraft registered YK-ATA, YK-ATB, YK-ATC and YK-ATD. YK-ATB and YK-ATD are frequently used on flights between Tehran and Syrian airports. These flights transport weapons and ammunition from Iran to Syria. YK-ATC is not operational and stored at Damascus airport. The aircraft are part of the Air Force 29th Transport Brigade based at Damascus airport.
YK-ATB, ATB, ATD are wearing the Syrianair – Syrian Arab Airlines livery.
In November 2015 a Russian registered IL76 RA-76634 wearing a Syrian flag on its tail was seen. This aircraft is now registered YK-ATF
Just below the cockpit the number 634 can be seen. Combined with the livery of the aircraft it is very likely this aircraft is the former Russian Airforce IL-76 registered RA-76634.
A possible second former Russian Airforce IL-76 now in use by the Syrian Air Force is former RA/RF-76639. This could be registered YK-ATE although no proof can be found in open sources.
