India Issues $10 Billion RFP for 60 Medium Transport Aircraft

This article summarizes reporting by Bloomberg by Sudhi Ranjan Sen.

The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) formally issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) on August 12, 2026, to procure 60 Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) in a program valued at approximately $10 billion. The tender mandates that 80 percent of the fleet be manufactured domestically, marking a major expansion of India’s private-sector aerospace manufacturing capabilities.

According to Bloomberg, the procurement aims to replace the Indian Air Force (IAF) aging Soviet-era Antonov An-32 and Ilyushin Il-76 fleets. The new aircraft will bridge the operational gap between light tactical transports and heavy strategic airlifters like the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) initially granted Acceptance of Necessity for the program on March 27, 2026, setting the stage for one of the country’s largest military aviation tenders.

Manufacturing requirements and domestic production

The tender enforces strict domestic production quotas under a “Buy and Make” model. Business Today reported that the selected Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) will deliver the first 12 aircraft in fly-away condition. The remaining 48 airframes must be manufactured in India through partnerships with domestic aerospace companies.

Aviation International News noted that the domestically produced aircraft must feature a minimum of 40 percent indigenous content initially. This requirement scales up to 60 percent as the production run progresses. The structure mirrors the ongoing Airbus C295 program, where a Tata-led consortium is building 40 of 56 ordered aircraft in India, establishing the country’s first private-sector military aircraft final assembly line.

Contenders and payload specifications

The RFP specifies a required cargo payload capacity between 18 and 30 tonnes. Several international manufacturers have aligned with Indian firms to compete for the contract. Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) has partnered with Lockheed Martin Corporation to offer the C-130J Super Hercules, while Mahindra Defence Systems is collaborating with Embraer S.A. to pitch the C-390 Millennium.

Other domestic entities receiving the tender include Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Adani Defence & Aerospace, and Reliance Defence, though their foreign manufacturing partners remain unconfirmed. Airbus SE is frequently cited as a potential contender with its A400M Atlas. However, the A400M features a 37-tonne payload capacity, which exceeds the tender’s specified limits. It remains unverified whether Airbus will formally bid or if the MoD would grant a waiver for the higher capacity.

Strategic drivers for fleet modernization

The push for enhanced airlift capabilities follows increased logistical demands along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh. International Aerospace Magazine reported that the IAF requires platforms capable of operating from high-altitude Advanced Landing Grounds (ALG) and unprepared runways in the region.

The retirement of the Antonov An-32 and Ilyushin Il-76 fleets necessitates a modern platform that can sustain high sortie rates in these challenging environments while supporting the broader strategic airlift network.

AirPro News analysis

We view the $10 billion MTA tender as a definitive test of India’s defense industrial base. While the Airbus C295 program proved that domestic private-sector final assembly is viable, scaling up to a platform in the 18-to-30-tonne class introduces significant supply chain and technology transfer complexities.

The strict 60 percent eventual indigenous content requirement will force foreign manufacturers to localize deep into their tier-two and tier-three supplier networks. The payload specifications also create an interesting competitive dynamic. By capping the requirement at 30 tonnes, the MoD has positioned the Lockheed Martin C-130J and Embraer C-390 as the most direct fits, potentially sidelining the larger Airbus A400M unless the requirements are amended.

Sources: Bloomberg