D
Air ForcesRussia

An-72 (Coaler)

Transport aircraftFielded 1977Pending verification

Also known as: Coaler-A, Nickname: Cheburashka

Air ForcesRUS
An-72 (Coaler)
Photo: Acroterion · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeTransport aircraft
Alternative designationsCoaler-A, Nickname: Cheburashka
Date of introduction1977
ProliferationAt least 7 countries
ManufacturerAntonovMed[1]
Crew4Med[1]
Dimensions and weight
Length28.07 m92 ftMed[1]
Height8.65 m28 ftMed[1]
Wingspan31.89 m105 ftMed[1]
Wing area98.62 m sqMed[1]
Max takeoff weight34,500 kg76,059 lbMed[1]
Flight performance
Engine2 x Lotarev D-36Med[1]
Thrust / power6,514 kg) static thrustMed[1]
Range4,325 km2,687 mi · 2,335 nmiMed[1]
Cruise speed705 km/h; 550 km/hMed[1]
Service ceiling10,700 m35,105 ftMed[1]
Takeoff roll1,170 m to 10.7 m at 34,500 kgMed[1]
Armament and payload
Main Weapon SystemThere are no weapons mounted on the An-72 (Coaler-A) Russian Transport Aircraft.Med[1]
Fire control
HF Radio1 x "Arlekin" DA HR RadioMed[1]
VHF Radio2 x VHF RadiosMed[1]
Variants
An-72Coaler-A, Pre-production aircraft. A total of eight were built, plus two flying prototypes and one static test airframe.[1]
An-72ACoaler-C was an initial production aircraft.[1]
An-72ATA freighter version. It is compatible with standard international shipping containers.[1]
An-72PMaritime 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.[1]
An-72PSSearch and rescue aircraft.[1]
An-72SVIP transport. Its production commenced in 1987.[1]
An-72GA civilian freighter aircraft. It was approved for production in 1993.[1]
An-71NATO: 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.[1]
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.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
AngolaEquatorial GuineaKazakhstanLibyaRussiaSudanUkraine
Sources
  1. An-72 (Coaler) Russian Transport Aircraft, U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
    Published/updated 2026-03-20 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-10-10
Change log
  • 2026-10-10 Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import
  • 2026-10-10 Added photo (CC BY-SA 4.0)