Tata is partnering U.S. agency Lockheed Martin to supply the C-130J Tremendous Hercules, which is already operated by the IAF for particular operations. File.
| Photograph Credit score: R.V. Moorthy
The Defence Ministry on Wednesday (August 12, 2026) issued a young value round ₹1 lakh crore for 60 multirole transport plane (MTA) for the Indian Air Drive (IAF), in a serious push to switch its ageing fleet of cargo and transport plane and increase its strategic airlift functionality.
The tender has been issued to a number of Indian firms, together with Hindustan Aeronautics Restricted (HAL) and personal sector defence majors, a senior Defence Ministry official mentioned.
The programme is envisaged as an Indian-led initiative, with Indian firms partnering with international authentic tools producers (OEMs) to fabricate the plane within the nation, the official added.
Mahindra Defence has tied up with Brazilian aerospace main Embraer to supply the C-390 Millennium, whereas Tata is partnering U.S. agency Lockheed Martin to supply the C-130J Tremendous Hercules, which is already operated by the IAF for particular operations.
Beneath the proposed programme, round 20% of the plane are anticipated to be inducted in fly-away situation, whereas the remaining plane can be manufactured in India. The domestically produced plane are anticipated to have greater than 60% indigenous content material and can be constructed by way of joint ventures between Indian firms and the OEMs.
Aerial refuelling
The MTA are anticipated to offer the IAF with enhanced functionality to quickly transfer troops, tools and different army property over lengthy distances. The plane might additionally doubtlessly be configured for aerial refuelling, offering the IAF with a further tanker functionality.
The IAF at present operates 12 C-130J Tremendous Hercules plane, primarily for particular operations and tactical airlift missions.
Individually, the power is inducting the C-295 transport plane below a programme involving Airbus and Tata, with round 70 plane deliberate for the IAF and nearly all of them to be manufactured in India.
The MTA programme is a part of the IAF’s broader modernisation drive amid issues over its ageing transport fleet and the necessity to increase airlift capabilities.
The IAF has additionally issued a young for 114 multirole fighter plane below its long-pending fighter modernisation programme. It’s concurrently seeking to purchase greater than 100 coach plane to switch its ageing Hawk fleet and increase coaching capability because the variety of fighter squadrons is sought to be elevated.
The proposed transport plane programme can be anticipated to deepen India’s home aerospace manufacturing ecosystem by bringing international OEMs into manufacturing partnerships with Indian firms and growing indigenous content material in army airlift platforms.
Printed – August 12, 2026 09:37 pm IST
