One of four Il-78s based at Islamabad International Airport and operated by 10 (MRTT) Sqdn "Buffaloes" supporting the two JF-17s making the first appearance of type at this year's RIAT. This aircraft was originally CCCP-76675, later operated by the Ukrianian AF as 76675 and sold to Pakistan at the end of December 2010. It was upgraded in Ukraine and re-delivered to the PAF in early 2022, just before the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Departure day of the 100th Turkish air force celebrations brought many support aircraft including this cherry on the pie for many. An Ilyushin Il-78MP Midas of the Pakistan Air Force, (پاک فضائیہ, Pakistan Fiza'ya) of the 35th Composite Air Transport Wing, 10 (MRTT) sqn Buffaloes.

An interesting career for this mighty classic. Starting operational life in 1987 as a Soviet Air Force machine (in Aeroflot livery), it arrived at supporting F-16s that are partly ex USAF jets, during a NATO exercise. In the mid-1990s it had a civil job as well, as UR-76730 without refuelling equipment. With the Pakistan Air Force since 2010.

R10-002 supported the six PAF F-16A/B's participating in exercise Anatolian Eagle 2022. Pakistan operates four IL-78MP in the MRTT version. Based at Nur Khan (OPRN) / Islamabad International Airport and operated by Squadron 10 "Buffaloes", they are serialled R09-001, R10-002, R11-003 and R11-004. When operating as tanker, they carry a total of three refueling pods, one under each wing and the 3rd on the rear left side of the fuselage, unfortunately not visible on this picture. R11-003 was upgraded in Ukraine and re-delivered to the PAF in early February 2022, just prior to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

This has been coming to BWI on occasion, along with C-130s.

Although not actually part of the show and too late for the best light, this 'Midas' arrived as support on the departures day and was the icing on the cake at the end of a fantastic weekend