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An-124 Charter Business Faces Uncertainty

September 23, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

Antonov and Volga-Dnepr operated An-124s for NATO's SALIS program.
Volga-Dnepr withdrew from the contract due to sanctions.
SALIS contract expires in the early 2030s.
European C-17s will reach end of service life in the 2040s.

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Strategic Implications

The An-124 charter business may face significant disruption as the SALIS contract nears expiration and the European C-17 fleet ages, which could indicate a need for new strategic airlift solutions. The sanctions against Volga-Dnepr suggest that NATO may need to rely on alternative providers, which could impact the availability and cost of heavy airlift services.

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What Happened

NATO's Heavy Airlift Dilemma Amid Sanctions And Aging Fleet

For twenty years, NATO relied on a unique arrangement with Ukrainian and Russian companies to provide heavy airlift capacity using the Soviet-designed An-124. However, with Volga-Dnepr’s withdrawal from the contract and sanctions imposed, the future of this capability is uncertain. The SALIS contract, which expires in the early 2030s, has been a vital component of European outsize airlift, but the aging An-124 fleet and the lack of a clear replacement strategy pose significant challenges. This article was first reported by Unknown Source.

Source | Originally Published: September 23, 2026

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