India issues RfP for 60 medium transport aircraft

India’s Ministry of Defence has issued a formal request for proposals (RfP) to procure approximately 60 Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) for the Indian Air Force. The program, valued at approximately INR 1 trillion (US$10.4 billion), aims to replace the aging Soviet-era Antonov An-32 tactical transport fleet.

The tender targets aircraft in the 18 to 30-tonne payload class capable of operating from high-altitude and rough landing strips, such as those in Ladakh and Northeast India. The new fleet will support missions including troop transport, cargo drops, medical evacuations, and humanitarian operations.

Under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, the contract includes provisions for licensed domestic production. While an initial batch of aircraft will be delivered in fly-away condition, subsequent units must meet indigenous content requirements, starting at 40 percent and scaling up to 60 percent.

Key contenders and partnerships include Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) for the C-130J, and Embraer and Mahindra Defence for the C-390 Millennium. Other potential participants include Airbus with the A400M, Adani Defence, Reliance Defence, and state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).