India Plans ₹1 Lakh Crore Tender for 60 Transport Aircraft

India’s Ministry of Defence issued a Request for Proposal on 12 August 2026 for 60 multirole transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force, with an estimated value of about ₹1 lakh crore. The procurement plan places Indian companies in the lead role with foreign original equipment manufacturers for domestic production and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facilities.

Multirole Transport Aircraft Programme

Multirole transport aircraft are military aircraft designed for troop movement, cargo carriage, airdrop missions, and logistics support. The Indian Air Force is seeking aircraft in the 18-tonne to 30-tonne cargo-carrying category for replacement of the Antonov An-32 fleet, which is of Soviet origin.

Procurement Structure and Industrial Participation

Under the proposed terms, about 20% of the aircraft are expected in fly-away condition, while the remaining 80% are to be manufactured in India through joint ventures. The indigenisation requirement begins at a minimum of 40% and rises to more than 60% indigenous content in a phased manner.

Indian firms named in the bidding process include Tata Advanced Systems Limited, Mahindra Group, Adani Defence & Aerospace, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, and Reliance Defence. The programme also includes domestic production lines and MRO centres, which are standard components of long-term military aviation contracts.

Aircraft Platforms in the Competition

Mahindra Defence has partnered with Embraer of Brazil to offer the C-390 Millennium. Tata has partnered with Lockheed Martin of the United States to pitch the C-130J Super Hercules. Airbus is expected to remain outside the competition because the A400M has a 37-tonne payload capacity, which is above the IAF’s specified weight range.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Antonov An-32 is a twin-turboprop military transport aircraft used by the Indian Air Force for tactical airlift roles.
• Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul, or MRO, is a standard aviation term used for aircraft servicing and lifecycle support.
• The C-130J Super Hercules is a military transport aircraft produced by Lockheed Martin and used by several air forces worldwide.
• The C-390 Millennium is a jet-powered military transport aircraft developed by Embraer for tactical and strategic airlift missions.

Strategic and Industrial Context

Defence procurement in India often combines foreign technology with domestic manufacturing under joint venture models. The multirole transport aircraft programme falls within military aviation modernisation and defence industrial development.