The CN-235 was developed jointly by CASA and Industri Pesawat Terbang Nusantara (IPTN) as a civil/military transport, each company building a prototype, there being ceremonies held simultaneously in Spain and Indonesia.

Development of the AN-124 Ruslan (NATO code-name Condor) began in 1977 in Kiev, in the Ukraine, the Antonov design Bureau team being headed by Petr V Balabuev. The prototype, powered by four Lotarev high-by-pass turbofans flew for the first time on 26 December 1982.

In 1962 NATO issued a specification for a V/STOL transport but no contract was awarded. However, the Italian Air Force ordered two prototypes plus a ground-test airframe in 1968 from the Italian manufacturer, Fiat Aviazione, the prototype flying for the first time on 18 July 1970, and a contract was