IATA ANFICAO AN12

Antonov AN-12

Antonov

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Soviet four-engine turboprop military and civil freighter.

First flight

1957

Category

Military/cargo turboprop

Seating

Primarily freighter; up to ~90 troops in military configuration

Range

5,700 km

Engines

Four Ivchenko AI-20 turboprop engines

Status

In service

The Antonov An-12 is a Soviet-designed four-engine turboprop transport aircraft developed in the late 1950s, serving as the primary heavy military transport of the Soviet Air Forces and a widely used civil cargo platform. It is broadly analogous to the American Lockheed C-130 Hercules, featuring a high-wing configuration, rear-loading ramp, and robust construction suited to unprepared airstrips. Originally designed for both military and civilian roles, the An-12 was produced in large numbers at facilities in the Soviet Union and also license-built in China as the Shaanxi Y-8. Its versatility made it popular with air forces and cargo carriers across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the former Soviet states. While production ended decades ago, significant numbers of An-12s remain in commercial freight service, particularly with smaller cargo operators in Africa, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe. The type has a long operational history spanning conflict zones and remote cargo routes worldwide.

Notable operators

Operated extensively by Soviet Air Forces, Aeroflot, and numerous African and Central Asian cargo carriers including Ilyich Avia and various charter freight operators.

Notable facts

›The An-12 first flew in 1957 and entered service in 1959.
›It served as the primary Soviet military airlifter during the Cold War era.
›China license-built a derivative, the Shaanxi Y-8, which spawned a large family of variants.
›Over 1,200 An-12s were built across Soviet production facilities.
›The aircraft features a rear clamshell loading ramp, enabling airdrop and vehicle loading operations.