India Sends First Direct Air Cargo Mission To Antarctica Using Russian IL-76 Aircraft

India launched its first-ever direct air cargo mission to Antarctica, employing a Russian IL-76 aircraft operated by Dronning Maud Land Air Network (DROMLAN) on 2 October, reported The Indian Express.

Departing from Goa’s Manohar International Airport in Mopa, the heavy-duty plane transported 18 tons of scientific equipment, medicines, provisions, and essentials to India’s Bharati and Maitri research stations in Antarctica.

The mission marks a significant logistical milestone for India’s polar research programme.

Since 1981, India has conducted Antarctic research by traditionally transporting cargo via ship operated by other nations.

“Post the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent disruption in the supply chain, our scientific shipments to Antarctica were facing unacceptable delays. As a result, researchers would be forced to wait for their shipments to arrive, thus defeating the whole purpose of the mission. Two of our latest missions to Antarctica experienced delay in shipment deliveries,” Thamban Meloth, Director of the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) was quoted as saying by IE.

Faced with rising delays, uncertain geopolitical conditions, and lengthy permissions for sea shipments, NCPOR opted for air transport despite higher costs.

Goa-based NCPOR is the nodal agency for organising India’s scientific expeditions to the Antarctic and Arctic.

“The need was felt due to the supply-chain problem and the delays in shipment deliveries. Also, air cargo is an expensive affair, needs planning and coordination as the cargo plane from Russia requires to be re-routed via India. That is why we may not opt for air cargo service every year,” Meloth added.

Landing in Antarctica requires specialised aircraft.

The IL-76, with low-pressure tires and unique landing capabilities, can operate on the continent’s blue-ice runways during October–March.

These flights demand highly trained pilots to manage the challenging conditions.

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