The Medium Transport Aircraft RFP is now formally in play. The Ministry of Defence has issued a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) valued at approximately ₹1 lakh crore ($12 billion) for 60 Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
C-390 contenders” width=”1200″ height=”660″ class=”wp-image-8688″ />Who Is In The Medium Transport Aircraft RFP Race
The programme marks a shift in India’s aerospace sector, with prime domestic companies expected to lead manufacturing through joint ventures with foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) under the ‘Make in India’ mandate.
The tender has been issued to multiple Indian companies, including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Tata and Mahindra.
What The Buy And Make Structure Means
Mahindra Defence has partnered with Brazil-based Embraer to offer the C-390 transport aircraft, while Tata has partnered with Lockheed Martin to offer the C-130 aircraft, which is already operational with the Indian Air Force.
As per reports, the HAL-Airbus A-400M is no longer in the race, leaving the C-390 and C-130 as the two contenders for the programme.
According to IADN Centre Linkedin post, The procurement primarily aims to replace the IAF’s workhorse fleet of Soviet-era Antonov An-32 aircraft, which have been in active service for four decades. Deployments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh highlighted the need for modern transport aircraft in the 18–30 tonne payload class.
The new platform will bridge the capability gap between light transport assets (such as the Airbus C-295) and heavy-lifters (like the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III and Ilyushin Il-76).
The Linkeidn post also stated the Charting India’s Mega Aerospace Projects
- 114 MRFA Fighter Jets (Proposed): ₹3.25 Lakh Crore (The actual single largest planned acquisition).
- 60 Multirole Transport Aircraft (Current Tender): ₹1 Lakh Crore.
- 97 HAL LCA Tejas Mk1A Fighter Jets (Ordered): ~₹65,000 Crore.
- 36 Dassault Rafale Jets (Completed 2016 Deal): ~₹59,000 Crore.
- 56 Airbus-Tata C-295 Transport Aircraft (Ongoing): ₹21,935 Crore
Further the Linkedin post pointed out the indigenization terms & platform requirements
- Production Split: 12 aircraft (20%) will be delivered off-the-shelf in fly-away condition from the OEM. The remaining 48 aircraft (80%) will be manufactured domestically through joint ventures.
- Indigenous Content: Domestically produced aircraft must exceed 60% local content and include transfer of critical technology (ToT).
- Multirole Versatility: Beyond troop and heavy cargo haulage to high-altitude forward operating bases, the platforms must support aerial refueling configurations to provide auxiliary tanker capacity.
The Linkedin post also discussed the Primary Contenders and Industrial Partnerships
C-130J (Tata-Lockheed): The safest operational choice—lowest integration cost, existing IAF infrastructure, and zero operational learning curve.
C-390 (Mahindra-Embraer): The modern jet alternative—delivers high speed, lower operating cost per flight hour, and balanced payload capacity.
Following the issuance of the RFP, vendor submissions will undergo technical evaluations, field evaluation trials in extreme desert and high-altitude mountain environments, and commercial negotiations prior to contract award. Placing domestic primes at the center of the project aims to establish a self-sustaining defense aerospace manufacturing and MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) hub within the country.