A number of aircraft made their public debuts at MAKS, among them the Mil Mi-38 medium-lift transport helicopter and Ukrainian-Russian Antonov An-148 regional passenger aircraft. Also, seen in public for the first time were prototype examples of the new Yakovlev Yak-130 trainer, Mil Mi-28N attack helicopter and a new variant of the Fulcrum, the Mig-29BM in use with the Belarussian Air Force. Four MiG-29s have been upgraded with an improved navigation system and superior radar and provide an air-to-ground capability armed with the anti-radar/anti-ship Kh-31P/A missile, the TV-guided Kh-29T air-to-surface missile and KAB-500Kr guided bombs. The weeks preceding the exhibition brought a number of first flights, which that for the llyushin II-76TD-90VD on August 5 from Tashkent in Uzbekistan. This version Of the II-76TD has new PS-90A-76 turbofan engines (hence the number 90 in its designation). It has been financed by the Russian carrier Volga-Dnepr Airlines (hence the VD lettering), which has ordered two aircraft. It is believed that Volga-Dnepr Airlines is also considering purchasing a further 15 examples. A second customer was secured at the show with Azerbaijan Airlines ordering two aircraft.
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