The contract for delivery of two brand-new Ilyushin Il-76MF airlifters to Jordan was fulfilled in June 2011. The Russian-Jordanian deal on two Il-76MFs was clinched in August 2005, during the MAKS 2005 air show. The Rosoboronexport company was earmarked as supplier, with construction itself to be handled by the Tashkent Aircraft Production Corp. (TAPC). The difficulties experienced by the manufacturer plant and its disagreements with the Russian party as to the terms of the deal resulted in slippage. Ilyushin and TAPC signed a contract for two airlifters as late as 4 July 2007, but the actual work on the aircraft kicked off only after Rosoboronexport and Jordan in December 2009 made a supplementary agreement providing for a certain postponement of the delivery.

The first Il-76MF (c/n 96-02), designed for Jordan and issued side number 76954 for the duration of the trials, conducted its maiden flight in Tashkent on 30 September 2010 and was ferried to Zhukovsky a month later for remaining equipment to be fitted and special flight trials conducted. The other aircraft (c/n 94-01, side number 76953) first flew on 12 May this year and moved to the airfield of the Gromov Flight Research Institute on 31 May.

Painted in the colours of the customer and given the insignia of Jordan carriers Royal Falcon and JIAC, the planes were issued their registration numbers JY-JID and JY-JIC. Their tests were completed during the spring and early summer, and their flying and ground crews were trained on them in Zhukovsky.

Finally, the Il-76MF (76953 or JY-JIC) departed from Gromov LIIТs airfield for Jordan on 29 June, followed by the other Il-76MF (76954 or JY-JID) on the next day.