ITAR TASS recently reported Ilyushin-76 aircraft, the same aircraft featured in various posts and URLS here at HAZE, will be fit with American jet engines. Any Il-76 aircraft will accept the VAP tanking system for quick conversion of the aircraft to firefighting duty.
While second series Russian Sokoliev engines are quite adequate for the pupose, the prevailing view is that fitting the Il-76 with US jet engines will provide:
(a) better global serviceability
(b) better fuel consumption
(c) quieter performance
(d) longer engine life.
Further, gazeta.ru recently reported as follows:
"16:56 | Shoigu Wants His Ministry to Become International
The 8th conference of ministers from countries, which have signed the Council of Europe’s agreement on forecasting, preventing and relief of natural calamities and technological accidents, got under way in Athens. Sergey Shoigu, head of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, (and Russian Vice President) has called for the creation of an international agency of emergency situations. He said Russia has consulted the UN Department on coordination of humanitarian issues and the respective departments of Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Greece. On Monday Russia and Greece are to sign an agreement on cooperation in preventing and dealing with emergency situations. Shoigu is also expected to meet the Greek Minister of the Interior Vassa Papandreou and Christodoulos, Archbishop of Athens. //RBC *"
The idea for a single global disaster response agency is not a new one. Indeed, American Fred Cuny pushed for this agency in the early 80s. For more on the state of global disaster relief visit a piece by Slate author, Timothy Noah found at
Some are of the view that a single such agency would not be efficient. There are simply too many well-defined areas of expertise and response for efficient unification. As well, perhaps all disasters will require a more or less heavy component of local involvement and a modicum of training to accept global aid.
Nevertheless, transport will be required in virtually all cases.