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CNN International is reporting that Belgian Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons based in the Baltic States recently intercepted a variety of Russian aircraft. One of the reported ones was the Antonov AN-74 Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) transport, the AN-72/74. The AN-72/74 was developed in the late Seventies and was very similar to a Boeing developmental aircraft for the US Air Force that never went into production.
While the Antonov never was used by the Soviets the company was able to build a quantity in the 90’s which found use with Russian civil airlines, foriegn airlines and the Russian military.
The AN-72/74 are very distinctive with the engines set above the wing to maximize short takeoffs.