Ilyushin Il-22PP Porubshchik
Ilyushin / Leninets · Airborne Electronic Jamming / Electronic Attack / Communications Jamming · Russia · Digital Age (2010–present)
The Ilyushin Il-22PP Porubshchik (Russian: "Woodcutter") is a Russian Aerospace Forces electronic-warfare aircraft — a specialised electronic-counter-measure support (Electronic Counter-Measures) variant of the Ilyushin Il-18 / Il-22 airframe. The Il-22PP is the most-recent variant of the long-running Il-22 family that traces back to the 1970s-era Il-22 airborne command post. About 3 Il-22PP airframes were converted 2016-2020 at Lukhovitsky Plant; the aircraft entered Russian Aerospace Forces service in 2019 as part of the Russian electronic-warfare modernisation programme.
The Il-22PP retains the base Il-18's four Ivchenko AI-20 turboprop engines. Maximum speed 600 km/h, range 6,200 km. The aircraft's mission equipment includes the L-415 Porubshchik electronic-warfare jammer suite, multiple jammer antennas in fuselage-side pods, SATCOM systems, and a mission-operator workstation cabin. The aircraft can jam NATO radar systems, communications links, and satellite uplinks from standoff distances, providing electronic-warfare support to Russian Aerospace Forces strike missions.
Il-22PP service has been concentrated in Russian Aerospace Forces electronic-warfare support roles. The aircraft has reportedly been used in Russian operations in Syria (2015+) and Ukraine (2022+). Specific combat use during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine has been documented through Ukrainian Air Defence + open-source intelligence — Russian Il-22PPs flew along the Russia-Ukraine border to provide ECM support for Russian missile-launch and aircraft strike missions. The earlier Il-22 airborne command post variants (1970s-era) continue in supplementary Russian Aerospace Forces service through 2026.
For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version
The Ilyushin Il-22PP is a Russian aircraft with a very special job. Its nickname is "Porubshchik," which means "Woodcutter" in Russian. Instead of carrying passengers, it carries electronic gear that can block enemy radar and radio signals.
This plane is based on the older Il-18 design, which first flew back in the 1950s. Engineers added special jamming equipment to give it a brand-new mission. Only about three of these aircraft were ever built, between 2016 and 2020.
The Il-22PP is powered by four turboprop engines. It can fly at up to 600 kilometers per hour and travel more than 6,200 kilometers without stopping. That range is longer than the distance from New York to London!
The plane carries a system called the L-415 jammer suite. This equipment sends out signals that confuse enemy radar and block communications. Special antennas are fitted in pods on the sides of the fuselage. A crew of operators sits inside and controls all this gear.
The Il-22PP entered service with the Russian Aerospace Forces in 2019. It has been used to support other aircraft during missions. It is a key part of how Russia uses electronic tools in modern conflicts.
Fun Facts
- The Il-22PP's nickname 'Woodcutter' comes from the idea of cutting through enemy signals like an axe through wood.
- Only about three Il-22PP aircraft were ever built, making it one of the rarest planes in Russia's fleet.
- The plane can fly over 6,200 kilometers on one trip — longer than a flight from New York to London.
- Its four turboprop engines spin large propeller blades to push the plane through the air.
- The L-415 jammer suite is the Il-22PP's main tool for blocking enemy radar and radio links.
- The Il-22PP is based on the Il-18 design, which is older than most of the pilots who fly it today.
- Special antenna pods are fixed to the sides of the fuselage, making the plane look different from a normal airliner.
- The Il-22PP entered Russian military service in 2019 as part of a big effort to modernise electronic tools.
Kids’ Questions
What does the Il-22PP actually do?
The Il-22PP flies near a battle area and uses special electronic gear to block enemy radar and radio signals. This helps other Russian aircraft do their jobs more safely. Think of it like a plane that jams the enemy's ability to communicate or detect things.
How is this plane different from a normal passenger plane?
On the outside it looks a lot like an old passenger plane because it is based on the Il-18 design. But inside, instead of seats, there are computers and jamming systems. Antenna pods on the sides of the fuselage are a big clue that this is no ordinary aircraft.
How many Il-22PP planes were built?
Only about three Il-22PP aircraft were converted and built between 2016 and 2020. That makes this one of the rarest planes in the Russian Aerospace Forces. Each one is very valuable because there are so few of them.
Variants
- Il-22 (1970s airborne command post)
- Original Il-22 family. About 25 built. Soviet General Staff / theatre-command communications relay aircraft. Many still in supplementary Russian service.
- Il-22M-11 (upgraded command post)
- 1980s upgrade of Il-22 command-post fleet. About 15 conversions. Active Russian Aerospace Forces service through 2026.
- Il-22PP Porubshchik (electronic warfare)
- Modern 2016-2020 EW conversion. 3 airframes. L-415 jammer suite. Combat-tested Syria + Ukraine.
Notable Operators
- Russian Aerospace Forces
- Sole operator. ~20 Il-22 family airframes in active service across command-post and electronic-warfare roles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Il-22PP do?
Electronic-warfare electronic-counter-measure support support. The aircraft uses the L-415 Porubshchik jammer suite to disrupt NATO and adversary radar systems, communications links, and satellite uplinks from standoff distances of several hundred km. The Il-22PP supports Russian Aerospace Forces strike missions by suppressing adversary air-defence radar and command-control communications during critical mission windows.
How is the Il-22PP different from the Il-22 command post?
The earlier Il-22 (1970s) is an airborne command post — a flying communications-relay aircraft for Soviet General Staff use. The Il-22PP (2016-2020) is an electronic-warfare jamming variant of the same Il-18-derived airframe — different mission equipment (L-415 jammer suite instead of communications-relay equipment) but same basic platform. The Russian Aerospace Forces operates both variants in parallel.
Has the Il-22PP seen combat?
Yes — reportedly. Russian Aerospace Forces Il-22PPs have been used in Syrian operations since 2015 (providing ECM support for Russian strike missions) and in the 2022+ Russian invasion of Ukraine (jamming Ukrainian Air Defence radar and Russian-Ukrainian border communications). Specific Il-22PP combat sortie counts have not been disclosed.
How many Il-22PPs are in service?
3 active airframes converted 2016-2020 at Lukhovitsky Plant. Russian Defence Ministry 2018 announcements indicated additional Il-22PP conversions planned through 2025; as of 2026 the active fleet remains 3.
Sources
See Also
- Ilyushin Il-18 — Direct parent airliner airframe
- Ilyushin Il-20 Coot-A — Sister ELINT variant of same airframe
- Boeing EC-130H Compass Call — American electronic-warfare counterpart
- Tupolev Tu-214R — Modern Russian ELINT contemporary (different mission)