To further enhance the strength of the Indian Air Force, the Ministry of Defence is soon preparing to initiate the procurement process for Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA).
New Delhi: The strategic capability and air transport power of the Indian Air Force (IAF) are set to receive a significant boost. The Ministry of Defence is soon going to initiate the procurement process for approximately 80 Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA). This procurement will be under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, which will not only enhance the strength of the Air Force but also give a new direction to India's self-reliance in defence production (Atmanirbhar Bharat).
According to sources, the project is likely to receive approval from the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) by the end of December 2025. Subsequently, the tender process will be formally initiated in January next year.
Competition Among Companies from Three Countries
Three major international aircraft manufacturing companies are in the race for this defence deal —
- America's Lockheed Martin is in competition with its C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.
- Brazil's Embraer is offering its KC-390 Millennium aircraft.
- Europe's Airbus Defence and Space has proposed its A400M aircraft.
The competition among these three companies is considered very tough, as the Indian Air Force requires aircraft capable of carrying 18 to 30 tons of cargo and rapidly deploying across various battlefields.
Production Hub to be Established Under ‘Make in India’
This deal will be executed under the ‘Make in India’ policy. The selected company will have to establish a production line in India itself, enabling the manufacturing and maintenance of aircraft to be done locally in the future. This step will not only reduce India's foreign dependence but also strengthen the domestic defence manufacturing industry. It is estimated that this project will create thousands of job opportunities in the country and promote defence technology transfer.
In this tender process, foreign companies have bid in collaboration with Indian partners: Lockheed Martin has partnered with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL). Embraer has submitted a proposal in conjunction with Mahindra & Mahindra. While Airbus has not yet formally announced its participation, it is already working on the C-295 transport aircraft project in India.
Notably, Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) are jointly working on a ₹21,935 crore project for the manufacturing of 56 C-295 transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force.
Indian Air Force Requirements
The current transport fleet of the Indian Air Force includes C-17 Globemaster, C-130J Super Hercules, and older An-32 aircraft. Many of these aircraft are outdated and have limited cargo capacity. Under the new MTA project, the Air Force will acquire aircraft that can meet requirements such as high-altitude operations, disaster relief, and deployment to forward bases.
According to a senior defence official, the new transport aircraft will double the logistic capabilities of the Indian Air Force and will be instrumental in providing immediate response during war or disaster situations. India has taken several significant steps towards self-reliance in the defence sector over the past few years. Following projects like the indigenous fighter jet Tejas, Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv, and Arjun Tank, this deal could now establish India as a prominent player in transport aircraft production as well.
