India issues RFP for multirole transport aircraft programme

The Indian Air Force (IAF) seeks to replace its ageing Antonov An-32 transport fleet with a multirole transport aircraft capability. (Janes)

The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has released a request for proposal (RFP) to acquire a multirole transport aircraft (MTA) capability, an industry source has confirmed to Janes.

Issued on 12 August, the RFP seeks 60 transport aircraft at an estimated cost of INR1 trillion (USD10 billion), Janes understands.

The RFP follows the Indian Air Force's (IAF's) July 2023 request for information (RFI) for the programme.

The IAF is seeking an aircraft capable of carrying 18–30 tonnes of payload. According to the RFI, deliveries must begin within 36 months of contract signature.

While full details about the RFP have not been made public, local media reports said the tender seeks 12 aircraft to be delivered in fly-away condition and 48 to be produced in India.

Aircraft acquired under the MTA programme are intended to replace the IAF's Soviet-era Antonov An-32 fleet.

Airbus Defence and Space, Embraer Defense and Security, and Lockheed Martin have previously expressed interest in participating in the programme.

In response to the 2023 RFI, Airbus pitched its A400M Atlas transport aircraft. While the aircraft's 37-tonne payload exceeds the MTA requirement, Airbus told Janes in 2023 that the Atlas “can fill [the IAF's] capability gaps of transport” from an operational perspective.

Lockheed Martin said in 2023 that it would bid the C-130J, which has a 19-tonne payload capacity. In 2024, Embraer and Mahindra Defence Systems signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to “jointly pursue the MTA programme” with the C-390 Millennium transport. According to Embraer, the C-390 can carry 26 tonnes of cargo.