The European Defence Agency has received the conclusions of an EU-backed study that outlines two long-term options for Europe’s outsized airlift needs: a deep modernisation of the Antonov An-124-100 fleet or development of a new European aircraft to replace the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III. The findings were presented after an 18-month project led by Airbus Defence and Space, with members including Leonardo and Safran, as Europe confronts a looming 100-tonne-class capability gap in the 2030s.
The study frames the problem around ageing An-124s, the lack of any C-17 production line and the limited ability of the Airbus A400M to cover the heaviest cargo missions. EU member states are due to examine the options in Brussels on 21-22 October. Antonov Airlines operates five An-124s from Leipzig/Halle, and one modernised example already exists in the form of UR-82073, which has undergone a comprehensive upgrade.