Context: An Ilyushin 38SD (IL-38), a Long Range Maritime Reconnaisence Aircraft of the Indian Navy, was promptly readied to depart INS Hansa for Palam Airport, New Delhi to complete a shipment of 60,000 face masks ordered by Indian Medical Association, Goa to offset the shortfall in Goa amid COVID-19 pandemic.
About the Aircraft

• The Ilyushin Il-38 "Dolphin" (NATO reporting name: May) is a maritime patrol aircraft and anti-submarine warfare aircraft designed in the Soviet Union.
•  It was a development of the Ilyushin Il-18 turboprop transport.
• It Role as Anti-submarine warfare and maritime patrol aircraft.
• The Il-38 is an adaptation of the four-engined turboprop Ilyushin Il-18 for use as a maritime patrol aircraft for the Soviet Navy.

Operation performed by this Aircraft

• The Il-38 was operated by units in the Soviet Northern, Pacific and Baltic fleets. In March 1968 a squadron of Il-38s deployed to Cairo in Egypt, flown by Soviet crews but in Egyptian markings, until being withdrawn in 1972. 

This aircraft has the following variants
IL-38: Production aircraft
IL-38M: Modified with a receiver probe as part of a probe and drogue air refueling system. System not adopted.
IL-38MZ: Tanker variant of the Il-38. Prototype only
IL-38N: Improved variant sometimes referred to as Il-38SD for Sea Dragon, which is a new search and tracking system.