Russia’s investigative committee has confirmed that the supply of substandard bearings led to the grounding of five Ilyushin Il-76 Candid cargo jets, according to reports by Militarniy.
The investigation, targeting unidentified officials at the Balashikha Foundry and Mechanical Plant (BLMZ), centers on allegations of using counterfeit parts to meet defense contract deadlines.
The BLMZ, located in an industrial zone along Enthusiasts Highway in Moscow, is accused of purchasing bearings of unknown origin and incorporating them into the aircraft wheels supplied to the “Aviastar” branch of the “Il” company. The components were allegedly accompanied by forged documents stating they were sourced from the “Saratov Bearing Plant” and approved by the Russian Ministry of Defense.
The use of these substandard parts has resulted in the malfunction and subsequent decommissioning of five Il-76MD-90A aircraft. “Significant harm has been done to the state’s interests, represented by the Ministry of Defense of Russia, as well as to the country’s defense capabilities and security,” stated the investigative committee.
Authorities have already seized documents from BLMZ and are interrogating its leadership. This incident comes amid increased scrutiny and pressure from the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, which warned military plant owners in mid-June of possible expropriation for failing to meet defense contract obligations.
The Il-76MD-90A, a modernized version of the Soviet-era Il-76, is a key asset in Russia’s military transport fleet. Known for its long-range capabilities and heavy payload capacity, the aircraft is crucial for strategic airlift missions. However, the reliability of these aircraft has come into question following several incidents attributed to technical failures.