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Indian Air Force An-32.
The Indian government has issued a long-awaited request for proposals for a new fleet of transport aircraft to replace the Indian Air Force’s fleet of Antonov An-32s.
New Delhi wants to acquire some 60 Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA), with the program expected to cost around 1 trillion rupees ($10 billion). Once in service, the MTA platform will fill a capability gap between the Airbus C295 and Boeing C-17.
The tender has been issued to multiple Indian companies, including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Tata and Mahindra, several of which have signed up with global airframers to provide the aircraft. Adani Defense and Aerospace and Reliance Defense were also invited to tender. Those manufacturers must partner with domestic firms to establish manufacturing capabilities in-country as part of New Delhi’s Make in India initiative.
According to Indian news media, the program may become a two-horse race, with the requirements potentially pushing the Airbus A400M out of the frame because they call for an aircraft in the 18-30 metric tons payload range. The A400M can carry up to 37 metric tons, increasing to 40 metric tons with changes to aircraft software.
Tata Advanced Systems Limited is expected to work with Lockheed Martin to provide the C-130J Hercules, a type already in use with the Indian Air Force. The companies have already outlined plans to set up final assembly in India if selected.
Embraer is partnered with Mahindra Group and is also proposing local assembly and maintenance, repair and overhaul of the C-390 airlifter and the creation of a regional hub to support the aircraft, if that aircraft is chosen.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India’s state-run aerospace enterprise, meanwhile is reportedly in discussions with Russia’s United Aircraft Corp. about a potential joint bid based on a series of jet-powered concepts, including the Il-276, a platform that could be comparable to the C-390.
New Delhi launched the MTA program in summer 2023 with a request for information on platforms, asking industry to provide pricing for batches of 40, 60 and 80 aircraft.
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