India’s Ministry of Defence has opened procurement for 60 medium transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force, issuing a request for proposal that puts one of the country’s largest military aircraft buys on the market. Valued at about 1 lakh crore rupees, the programme is structured to replace ageing Antonov An-32 transports and strengthen medium-lift operations across India’s air force.
Under the plan, 12 aircraft will be delivered in fly-away condition and 48 will be built in India through a Buy and Make framework. Indian industry is expected to compete alongside foreign partners, with Hindustan Aeronautics, Tata and Mahindra among the local groups linked to potential bids and Lockheed Martin, Embraer and Airbus among the likely international contenders.
The fleet is intended to close a capability gap between lighter tactical transports and heavier airlifters such as the C-17, while improving operations from austere and high-altitude airfields. The tender also points to broader industrial aims, including technology transfer, local manufacturing and maintenance capacity, with some reports indicating the aircraft could later be configured for aerial refuelling roles.