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Ilyushin Il-38

Ilyushin · Maritime Patrol / ASW / Anti-Submarine / Maritime Patrol · Russia · Early Jet (1946–1969)

Ilyushin Il-38 — Maritime Patrol / ASW / Anti-Submarine / Maritime Patrol
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The Ilyushin Il-38 (NATO reporting name May) is a Soviet maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft — the Soviet equivalent of the U.S. Lockheed P-3 Orion. Sergey Ilyushin's design bureau developed the Il-38 from the Ilyushin Il-18 four-turboprop airliner in 1962-1967; the prototype first flew on 27 September 1961. About 65 Il-38 airframes were built between 1967 and 1972 at Khodynka Plant. The aircraft served Soviet / Russian Naval Aviation as the principal long-range maritime patrol platform through 2026; Indian Navy operates 5 airframes as the Il-38SD variant.

The Il-38 retains the base Il-18's four Ivchenko AI-20M turboprop engines (4,250 shp each). Maximum speed 610 km/h, range 7,500 km, service ceiling 8,000 m. Mission equipment: under-fuselage Berkut search radar, MAD (Magnetic Anomaly Detector) tail boom, AT-1 / AT-2 acoustic sonobuoys, optical / infrared sensors, ECM systems, and an internal weapons bay carrying ASW torpedoes, depth charges, or maritime mines. Crew: 8 (pilot + co-pilot + navigator + radio operator + 4 mission operators).

Il-38 service was extensive in Soviet Naval Aviation 1968-1991 and Russian Naval Aviation 1991-present. The aircraft conducted ASW patrol against NATO submarines across the North Atlantic, North Pacific, Black Sea, and Mediterranean. Indian Navy received 5 Il-38SDs in 1977 as the first Indian Navy maritime patrol aircraft; these continue in service through 2026 with upgraded Sea Dragon mission equipment. Russian Naval Aviation operates about 25 Il-38 / Il-38N airframes in 2026; the type is supplementing (and gradually being replaced by) the newer Russian Beriev Be-200 + Tupolev Tu-142 variants.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Ilyushin Il-38 May is a Soviet sub-hunter built from the Il-18 airliner. The Il-38 first flew on September 27, 1961. About 65 Il-38s were built between 1967 and 1972. The Il-38 was the Soviet equivalent of the American P-3 Orion.

The Il-38 is 130 feet long with a 122-foot wingspan, longer than a Boeing 737. Four Ivchenko AI-20M turboprop engines each make 4,250 horsepower. Top speed is 379 mph, faster than most race cars. The plane can stay airborne for over 8 hours.

The Il-38 carries many sensors for sub-hunting. The Berkut search radar under the body finds submarines on the surface. A magnetic anomaly detector (MAD) in a tail boom finds underwater submarines by their magnetic signature. Sonar buoys are dropped into the water to listen for engine sounds. Torpedoes and depth charges attack any submarines found.

The Russian Navy still flies about 20 Il-38s in 2026. India has 5 Il-38SD versions for the Indian Navy. The Il-38 has served for 60 years, much longer than expected. Russian Il-38s flew patrols off Syria during the 2010s and 2020s.

Fun Facts

  • The Il-38 May is a Soviet sub-hunter built from the Il-18 airliner.
  • About 65 Il-38s were built between 1967 and 1972.
  • The Il-38 is 130 feet long, longer than a Boeing 737.
  • Top speed is 379 mph, faster than most race cars.
  • The Il-38 can stay airborne for over 8 hours.
  • The Il-38 has a magnetic anomaly detector in a tail boom.
  • India flies 5 Il-38SD versions for the Indian Navy.

Kids’ Questions

What is MAD?

MAD stands for Magnetic Anomaly Detector. Submarines are made of steel, which creates a small magnetic signature different from the ocean around them. The MAD sensor in the Il-38's tail boom can detect this signature, finding submarines hidden underwater. The MAD only works at close range, but it works through water that radar cannot see through.

How do sonar buoys work?

Sonar buoys are small floating devices dropped from the Il-38 into the ocean. Each buoy has a microphone that lowers under the water. The buoy listens for submarine sounds (engine noise, propeller noise). The buoy sends what it hears back to the Il-38 by radio. By tracking sounds from many buoys, the crew can find a hidden submarine.

How is it different from a P-3?

The American P-3 Orion and Soviet Il-38 are very similar: both are 4-turboprop sub-hunters built from civilian airliners. The P-3 is slightly bigger and faster, with newer electronics. The Il-38 has a similar shape with the radar under the nose and MAD in the tail. Both have served for over 50 years. The newer Boeing P-8 Poseidon is replacing both types around the world.

Variants

Il-38 (basic)
Original 1968 production. Berkut radar + MAD + acoustic sonobuoys. About 65 built.
Il-38SD (Indian Navy)
Export variant for Indian Navy. 5 built 1977. Upgraded mid-2010s with Sea Dragon mission equipment.
Il-38N (upgraded)
Mid-2010s Russian upgrade with Novella mission system. About 8 conversions of existing Il-38s.

Notable Operators

Soviet / Russian Naval Aviation
Principal user. ~50 Il-38s in Soviet service 1968-1991. ~25 active Russian Naval Aviation airframes in 2026.
Indian Navy
5 Il-38SD airframes 1977-2026. INS Garuda Naval Air Squadron 315. Mid-2010s upgraded with Sea Dragon mission equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Il-38 the Soviet P-3 Orion?

Yes — directly comparable. Both are 4-turboprop maritime patrol aircraft derived from civilian 4-turboprop airliners (Il-18 → Il-38; L-188 Electra → P-3 Orion). Both entered service late 1960s (Il-38 in 1968; P-3 in 1962). Both serve as principal ASW platforms for their respective alliance blocs. Similar mission equipment, similar performance, similar crew complement. Il-38 production (65) was much smaller than P-3 production (~750) reflecting Soviet vs. NATO maritime-patrol-fleet sizing.

Does India operate the Il-38?

Yes — Indian Navy received 5 Il-38SDs in 1977 as the first Indian Navy maritime patrol aircraft. The aircraft were upgraded in the mid-2010s with the Russian Sea Dragon mission system (giving them comparable detection role to modern P-8 Poseidons). Indian Navy operates these from INS Garuda Naval Air Station (Kerala) as part of Naval Air Squadron 315. The Il-38SDs are being gradually replaced by Indian Navy Boeing P-8I Neptune aircraft delivered 2013+.

How is the Il-38 different from the base Il-18?

Same airframe + engines as the Ilyushin Il-18 airliner. The Il-38 adds: under-fuselage Berkut search radar, MAD (Magnetic Anomaly Detector) tail boom, acoustic sonobuoy launchers, internal weapons bay (for torpedoes / depth charges), ECM equipment, and a mission-operator cabin replacing the passenger seats. The Il-38's empty weight is about 5 tonnes higher than the Il-18 due to the additional mission equipment.

Is the Il-38 being replaced?

Gradually. Russian Naval Aviation is bringing newer Tupolev Tu-142 (Bear-F ASW variant) and Beriev Be-200 amphibious patrol aircraft into supplementary service. Indian Navy is replacing Il-38SDs with Boeing P-8I Neptune. The Il-38 will likely remain in supplementary Russian service through the 2030s; the mature ASW role is hard to replace quickly.

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