New Delhi : The Ministry of Defence has issued a tender worth around Rs 1 lakh crore for the purchase of 60 multirole transport aircraft (MTA) for the Indian Air Force. The move aims to replace the ageing Soviet-era Antonov An-32 cargo fleet and strengthen the IAF’s logistics and airlift capabilities.
The tender documents have been given to multiple Indian companies, including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Mahindra. Defence officials said Indian companies will play the lead role in the programme.
Mahindra Defence has partnered with Brazil’s Embraer to offer the C-390 transport aircraft. Tata has tied up with Lockheed Martin of the United States to offer the C-130, a platform already used by the Indian Air Force for special operations. The IAF currently operates 12 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.
Under the programme, about 20 per cent of the aircraft (around 12) will be delivered in fly-away condition. The remaining aircraft will be manufactured in India with more than 60 per cent indigenous content. Production will take place through joint ventures between the Indian companies and the original equipment manufacturer. HAL is also in the race to take on a major role as the prime manufacturing and integration lead for the domestic assembly phase.
The Acceptance of Necessity for the Medium Transport Aircraft programme was cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council in March 2026. The new aircraft are intended to replace the ageing An-32 fleet, which has served as a key tactical airlift platform for decades, and to supplement the IAF’s overall logistics network. The MTA is expected to fill the gap between lighter transport aircraft such as the C-295 and heavier platforms like the C-17.
The Indian Air Force is already inducting around 70 C-295 transport aircraft in partnership with Airbus, with the majority being manufactured in India. The MTA aircraft may also be configured for roles such as aerial refuelling tankers and rapid transport of troops and equipment.
Separately, the IAF has issued a tender for 114 Rafale fighter jets as part of its modernisation plans. It is also looking to induct more than 100 trainer aircraft to replace the Hawk jet trainers and expand pilot training capacity as fighter squadron numbers grow.
The tender forms part of ongoing efforts to modernise the IAF’s transport fleet under the Make in India initiative while ensuring greater domestic manufacturing and industrial participation.
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