{
  "id": "an-72",
  "name": "An-72 (Coaler)",
  "aliases": [
    "Coaler-A",
    "Nickname: Cheburashka"
  ],
  "domain": "air",
  "country": "RUS",
  "category": "Transport aircraft",
  "status": null,
  "fielded": 1977,
  "operators": [
    "AGO",
    "GNQ",
    "KAZ",
    "LBY",
    "RUS",
    "SDN",
    "UKR"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 7,
  "summary": "The AN-72 is a light short takeoff and landing jet transport airplane intended for operations on non-equipped airstrips 600 m long. Powerful wing high-lift devices and improved thrust-to-weight ratio ensure the airplane’s short takeoff and landing capability.",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Manufacturer",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "Antonov",
      "src": [
        "weg-an-72"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "crew",
      "v": 4,
      "src": [
        "weg-an-72"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "length_m",
      "v": 28.07,
      "src": [
        "weg-an-72"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "height_m",
      "v": 8.65,
      "src": [
        "weg-an-72"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "width_m",
      "v": 31.89,
      "src": [
        "weg-an-72"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "label": "Wingspan"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Wing area",
      "section": "dims",
      "v": "98.62 m sq",
      "src": [
        "weg-an-72"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "mass_kg",
      "v": 34500,
      "src": [
        "weg-an-72"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "label": "Max takeoff weight"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_name",
      "v": "2 x Lotarev D-36",
      "src": [
        "weg-an-72"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thrust / power",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "6,514 kg) static thrust",
      "src": [
        "weg-an-72"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "range_km",
      "v": 4325,
      "src": [
        "weg-an-72"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Cruise speed",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "705 km/h; 550 km/h",
      "src": [
        "weg-an-72"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "ceiling_m",
      "v": 10700,
      "src": [
        "weg-an-72"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Takeoff roll",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "1,170 m to 10.7 m at 34,500 kg",
      "src": [
        "weg-an-72"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "HF Radio",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "1 x \"Arlekin\" DA HR Radio",
      "src": [
        "weg-an-72"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "VHF Radio",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "2 x VHF Radios",
      "src": [
        "weg-an-72"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Main Weapon System",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "There are no weapons mounted on the An-72 (Coaler-A) Russian Transport Aircraft.",
      "src": [
        "weg-an-72"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    }
  ],
  "payloads": [],
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "An-72",
      "text": "Coaler-A, Pre-production aircraft. A total of eight were built, plus two flying prototypes and one static test airframe.",
      "src": [
        "weg-an-72"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "An-72A",
      "text": "Coaler-C was an initial production aircraft.",
      "src": [
        "weg-an-72"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "An-72AT",
      "text": "A freighter version. It is compatible with standard international shipping containers.",
      "src": [
        "weg-an-72"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "An-72P",
      "text": "Maritime patrol aircraft. Its main role is to patrol sea cost. It is armed with 23-mm twin-barrel cannon and has underwing hardpoints for pods with unoperated rockets or 100 kg bombs.",
      "src": [
        "weg-an-72"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "An-72PS",
      "text": "Search and rescue aircraft.",
      "src": [
        "weg-an-72"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "An-72S",
      "text": "VIP transport. Its production commenced in 1987.",
      "src": [
        "weg-an-72"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "An-72G",
      "text": "A civilian freighter aircraft. It was approved for production in 1993.",
      "src": [
        "weg-an-72"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "An-71",
      "text": "NATO: Madcap. It was an airborne early warning aircraft. It is based on the An-72. It made its first flight in 1975. Only 3 prototypes were built before the program was cancelled.",
      "src": [
        "weg-an-72"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "art": "bomber",
  "image": {
    "file": "an-72.jpg",
    "thumb": "an-72-thumb.jpg",
    "credit": "Acroterion",
    "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
    "url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AN-72_CCCP-19795_at_Paris_Air_Show_1981.jpg",
    "title": "File:AN-72 CCCP-19795 at Paris Air Show 1981.jpg"
  },
  "verified": null,
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-10",
      "change": "Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-10-10",
      "change": "Added photo (CC BY-SA 4.0)"
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/an-72.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-an-72": {
      "title": "An-72 (Coaler) Russian Transport Aircraft",
      "publisher": "U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)",
      "url": "https://odin.t2com.army.mil/WEG/Asset/An-72_Coaler_Russian_Transport_Aircraft",
      "published": "2026-03-20",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}