India Proposes ₹1 Lakh Crore Tender for 60 Multirole Transport Aircraft for IAF

Key facts

• The Ministry of Defence has floated a tender valued at approximately ₹1 lakh crore to procure 60 multirole transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force.
• Indian companies, including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Tata and Mahindra, will lead the programme with over 60 per cent indigenous content.
• Around 20 per cent of the aircraft are expected to be delivered in fly-away condition, while the remainder will be manufactured in India.
• Mahindra Defence has partnered with Brazil's Embraer to offer the C-390 Millennium transport aircraft.
• Tata has partnered with Lockheed Martin to offer the C-130J Super Hercules, which is already operated by the Indian Air Force.
• The Indian Air Force currently operates 12 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.
• The proposed aircraft may also be configured for aerial refuelling operations.
• The Indian Air Force is already expanding its transport fleet through the C-295 programme with Airbus, with around 70 aircraft expected to be inducted.
• The Indian Air Force has issued a separate tender for 114 Rafale fighter aircraft as part of its wider modernisation process.
• The Indian Air Force is also considering the induction of more than 100 trainer aircraft to replace ageing Hawk jet trainers.