The Ilyushin Il-78 (Russian: Илью́шин Ил-78; NATO reporting name Midas) is a Soviet/Russian four-engined aerial refueling tanker based on the Il-76 strategic airlifter.

[2] The Soviet Union's first dedicated tanker aircraft were variants of preexisting bombers, like the Tupolev Tu-16 and Myasishchev M-4.

Instead of the basic Il-76, the improved Il-76MD version was chosen as the basis for the new tanker, named Il-78, owing to its higher fuel capacity.

In total, 32 Il-78s, 13 Il-78Ms and a single Il-78E (a version exported to Libya) were built at the Tashkent Aviation Production Association, from 1984 to 1993.

The tail turret is removed, and an air refuelling operator is situated in the rear gunner's position.