The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to significantly upgrade its airlift capability, with the Defence Ministry moving to procure up to 60 Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) to replace the ageing Soviet-era Antonov An-32 fleet, according to reports. The programme, valued at approximately ₹1 lakh crore, marks a decisive shift towards a modern, flexible, and industrially integrated transport capability suited to India's challenging operational geography.

What the Programme Entails

The tender requires aircraft capable of carrying a payload of between 18 and 30 tonnes — significantly above the An-32's capacity — enabling the IAF to undertake a broader range of tactical and strategic missions. Of the 60 aircraft on order, 12 will be delivered in flyaway condition, while the remaining 48 will be manufactured in India, meeting a substantial indigenous-content requirement. The programme is thus as much an aerospace manufacturing initiative as it is an operational modernisation project.

Key Contenders in the Race

Two platforms have emerged as leading candidates. The Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules, already operated by the IAF, is capable of both intra-theatre and inter-theatre airlift, troop delivery, and airdrop operations. Its extended C-130J-30 variant carries a maximum allowable payload of nearly 20 tonnes.

Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer's C-390 Millennium represents a newer-generation alternative. The jet-powered transport offers a maximum payload of 26 tonnes and is designed to handle cargo and troop transport, airborne operations, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian missions — all within a single platform. Notably, the C-390 can operate from temporary or unpaved runways, a critical feature for India's northern and northeastern theatres.

The C-390 has built a growing international order book, with several NATO members selecting the aircraft, establishing it as a front-runner in the medium military transport category.

The Industrial Dimension: Embraer and Mahindra

For India, the MTA programme carries significant industrial weight. Embraer has formally partnered with Mahindra Defence for the Indian bid, with the proposal linked to the creation of domestic manufacturing and maintenance infrastructure. This aligns with the government's broader push for defence indigenisation under the Make in India framework, ensuring that the ₹1 lakh crore outlay generates long-term domestic aerospace capability rather than being a simple import exercise.

Strategic and Humanitarian Significance

The urgency of the upgrade becomes apparent when India's operational environment is considered. The country's northern and northeastern frontiers — including high-altitude Himalayan zones bordering China — rank among the most demanding military airlift environments in the world, where payload capacity and all-weather performance are non-negotiable.

Beyond national defence, modern transport aircraft have proven their value in humanitarian operations. In June 2026, the IAF's C-17 Globemaster III fleet demonstrated this reach during Operation Amistad, following devastating earthquakes in Venezuela. Two C-17 aircraft airlifted a 41-member Indian Army medical contingent from the 60 Para Field Hospital, along with medical equipment, relief supplies, and two BHISHM Cube portable hospitals — underscoring why a capable and modern transport fleet is a strategic asset well beyond the battlefield.

With the procurement process now advancing, the MTA programme is expected to define the IAF's airlift posture for the next three decades.