Indian Air Force Seeks Bids for 60 New Military Airlifters, Embraer KC-390 Among Contenders
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has issued a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) to acquire 60 Multi-Role Transport Aircraft (MTA) at an estimated cost of approximately 1 trillion rupees ($10.4 billion). This procurement aims to replace the IAF's aging fleet of Soviet-era Antonov An-32 aircraft and to bridge the existing capability gap between light and heavy strategic transports. The tender specifically targets airlifters with a payload capacity ranging from 18 to 30 tonnes (39,683 to 66,139 pounds). Key performance benchmarks for these new aircraft include the ability to operate from rough, high-altitude airstrips, such as the Advanced Landing Grounds located in Ladakh and the Northeast regions of India. The new airlifters are expected to perform a variety of missions, including troop transport, cargo drops, medical evacuations, humanitarian operations, and potentially aerial refueling. Among the primary foreign bids anticipated are Lockheed Martin’s C-130J Super Hercules, with a 19-tonne cargo limit, and Embr... 
