India Set to Begin Major Procurement of Medium Transport Aircraft for the Air Force

In a significant move to modernize its airlift capability, India is preparing to initiate the procurement process for medium transport aircraft (MTA) for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The long-awaited project is expected to begin before the end of this year, marking one of the most ambitious air mobility programs under the government’s Make in India initiative.

According to defence sources, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is in the final stages of granting an Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for acquiring nearly 80 medium transport aircraft. Once cleared, global aerospace giants from the United States, Brazil, and Europe are expected to participate in the bidding process.

The new aircraft will replace the aging fleet of Avro and AN-32 transport planes, enhancing the IAF’s ability to carry troops, equipment, and humanitarian aid across diverse terrains-from deserts and plains to high-altitude border regions.

Among the contenders, Lockheed Martin (US) is expected to offer its C-130J Super Hercules, Embraer (Brazil) may propose its C-390 Millennium, and Airbus Defence & Space could field the A400M Atlas. Each of these aircraft brings unique advantages in payload capacity, range, and operational flexibility.

Officials indicate that the project will emphasize local production, technology transfer, and maintenance infrastructure in India, aligning with the government’s push for defence indigenisation and self-reliance. The deal could potentially be executed through a partnership with Indian aerospace firms to establish a manufacturing and MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) ecosystem.

If approved within the expected timeframe, the medium transport aircraft program will become one of India’s largest defence aviation procurements in recent years. The move reflects New Delhi’s determination to enhance rapid deployment capability and strengthen logistics support for both military and humanitarian missions.

The initiative also signals India’s growing confidence in combining global collaboration with indigenous defence manufacturing – a crucial step in achieving long-term strategic autonomy.