Giant transport aircraft from Ukraine ends up in Leipzig!

Giant transport aircraft from Ukraine ends up in Leipzig!

A Ukrainian giant transport aircraft, Antonov An-124, recently completed a symbolic landing in Leipzig/Halle Airport. This landing marks a remarkable moment in view of the current geopolitical challenges, since the Kiev were departed, where airspace has been closed to civil aircraft since the start of the war. The plane initially started without a transponder signal and passed the Polish border before it ended up in Germany. [Kosmo.at] (https://www.kosmo.at/unsichbbar- through warshimmelhimmel-flyer-flyer-kam-und-landet-in-in-leipzig/) reports that the AN-124 has been extensively modernized despite the adverse circumstances and is now acting as an important element of the Ukrainian air transport fleet.

The Antonov An-124 has an impressive length of 69 meters and a wingspan of 73 meters. Since the beginning of the war in February 2022, plans to relocate the Antonov fleet to Germany have existed to protect the planes from Russian attacks and to secure their operational capacity for military and humanitarian transports. The location, which is currently working in Leipzig, has played a central role, since six Antonov aircraft are now stationed there.

The history of the Antonov fleet

Russian armed forces have made considerable attacks on Antonov's work airport in recent months. This led to the destruction of an AN-225, and the maintenance work on the remaining fleet was temporarily affected. While the maintenance of the AN-124 was originally supposed to take place in Ukraine from March 2021, this plan had to be stopped due to the Russian attack. Nevertheless, Kosmo.at continued to report that the maintenance and modernization work continued unnoticed and finally completed in 2025.

A striking feature of the An-124 is the inscription on the hull of the aircraft: "Be brave, like irpot". This message reflects Ukraine's determination to withstand aggression. The Antonov aircraft are known for being named after cities that defy Russian aggression.

Strategic air transport capacities in Europe

In view of the current situation, the Antonov An-124 is not only important for Ukraine, but also for the European armed forces who are dependent on these machines as part of the NATO/EU initiative Salis (Strategic Airlift Interim Solution). This initiative comprises 16 NATO countries and has the purpose of ensuring strategic air transport capacities. [Alamy] (https://www.alamy.de/ein-fotograf-liebliegi 2006-the airplane-is-part-natoeu-initiative-Salis-Strategic-Interim-Solution-an-der-the-strategic-air transition capacity Participate Sich-16-Nato-States-AP-Photoecke-Schulz-A-Photo-Lays-in-front-antonov-100-ruslan-Freiight-AT-Airport-In-Leipzig-Easter N-German-Thursday-March-23-2006-Aircraft-IS-Part-I--and-Nato-Airlift-Interim Solution-Salis-Project-AP-PHOTOCK-IMAGE541703946.html) emphasizes that this generation of aircraft is essential for the transport of military personnel and heavy equipment.

With the Ukraine War, however, the planning for air transport was strongly influenced. The EU member states are looking for new short and long-term solutions for strategic air transport as part of the ESOCA project (European System for Outsized Cargo Airlift). This project is coordinated by Airbus Defense and Space and is intended to ensure extensive air transport capacities in the medium term. Flugrevue reports that the production of new aircraft, such as the C-17A since 2015, has not been available on the market.

Against this background, the importance of the Antonov-am-124 in the current global security situation becomes clear. The remaining fleet could continue to be indispensable for strategic aviation in Europe in the future.