Antonov An-124 Ruslan, one of the world’s largest planes drops in to Darwin

ONE of the world’s largest planes — an Antonov An-124 with an enormous wingspan of 73m— has popped in to Darwin for a visit

ONE of the world’s largest planes has landed in Darwin, for a technical stop in the Top End on its way to a NSW Royal Australian Air Force base.

One of the largest aircraft in the world – the Antonov An-124 Ruslan – has landed in Darwin. Picture: Che Chorley

The Antonov An-124 Ruslan, a four engined aircraft, is a military-style plane, landing in Darwin on Tuesday about 8.15am from Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi.

A file image of an Antonov An-124 landing at Adelaide airport. Picture: Mike Burton

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While the contents of the plane and reason for its journey remain confidential, the plane is bound for Williamtown RAAF Base in NSW, where it will fly to in the coming days.

The aircraft has a wingspan of 73m and a length of 69m.

It’s a smaller version of one of the world’s largest aircraft, the Antonov An-225 Mriya.

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Originally developed as a military version of the An-10 passenger transport, the An-124 is now a cargo aircraft.