The IIyushin-78M is a former Soviet Air Force air tanker drived from the IIyushin-76MD transport aircraft with the Nato codename as Midas. It was developed in 1970 and introduced into service in 1987 with the former Soviet Air Force. The main features of the IIyushin-76MD transport aircraft are maintained in the IIyushin-78M with the addition of the fuel tanks installed into the cargo bays. The present IIyushin-78M is installed with fixed re-fueling tanks with enhanced fuel loadings. The plane is capable of loading and mid-air refueling from three points located at the left side of the fuselage and including the two mid-air re-fueling points at the wing tips. A machine gun is also located at the fuel operator seat.