Russia set to re-enter medium transport aircraft supply contest of IAF

New Delhi: Russia is looking to re-enter a contest to supply medium transport aircraft (MTA) to the Indian Air Force, with sources saying it is keen to partner with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the multi-billion dollar project.

India is looking for at least 80 of the MTA that are to replace the ageing An32 fleet, with plans in place to localise the production with an Indian partner, along with significant technology transfer.

Sources said that Russia has reinitiated talks, putting the IL276 on offer for the Air Force. Incidentally, Russia was the original partner for a programme to co-develop a transport aircraft for India. The project was, however, dropped late in 2015 after concerns were raised by the Indian side on the technologies on offer.


A key Indian concern at that point was the lack of a new generation engine with a full authority digital engine control system that was needed to give it adequate power to operate at challenging altitudes.

The MTA contest is heating up with global original equipment manufacturers keen to partner with Indian entities to offer the aircraft. Given its relatively large size - 80 aircraft are being contracted but the number is likely to go up - most major global companies have tied up with Indian partners.

As per current plans, the aircraft order will be given to an Indian company that will partner with a foreign manufacturer and produce the planes locally. There is also likely to be deeper technology transfer than the C295 transport aircraft deal in which Tata has partnered with Airbus for local production.

Airbus is seeking to enter the contest with its A400M and is currently in talks to identify local partners. Lockheed Martin has the C130J on offer and has announced a partnership with Tata. Embraer is a strong contender for the programme with its C390 Millennium and has announced a partnership with Mahindra Defence for the contest.