New Delhi, September 21, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) transport fleet is set for a major modernisation push, with the Defence Ministry planning to procure 60 Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) to replace its ageing Soviet-era Antonov An-32 fleet, according to a report.
The proposed programme, estimated at around Rs 1 lakh crore, is aimed at creating a more flexible and modern airlift capability while strengthening domestic aerospace manufacturing, according to an article published by Vietnam Times.
The proposed aircraft will have a payload capacity broadly ranging between 18 and 30 tonnes, placing them above the An-32 in carrying capability and enabling the IAF to undertake a wider range of tactical and operational missions.
Under the tender, 12 aircraft are to be supplied in flyaway condition, while 48 are expected to be manufactured in India. The locally produced aircraft are also expected to meet a substantial indigenous-content requirement.
The programme is therefore expected to serve both as an operational modernisation effort and an aerospace manufacturing initiative.
Among the aircraft that illustrate the capabilities in this category is the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules, which is already operated by the IAF. The aircraft can undertake intra-theatre and inter-theatre airlift missions and transport troops and cargo through air-landed or airdrop operations. Its extended C-130J-30 variant has a maximum allowable payload of nearly 20 tonnes.
Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer’s C-390 Millennium represents another option in the medium military transport category. The jet-powered aircraft has a maximum payload of 26 tonnes and can undertake cargo and troop transport, airborne operations, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting and humanitarian missions.
According to the report, the C-390 can also operate from temporary or unpaved runways and has attracted several international customers, including NATO members.
For India, the programme also carries an industrial dimension. Embraer has partnered with Mahindra Defence for the Indian MTA programme, with the proposal linked to establishing manufacturing and maintenance capabilities in the country.
The need for a capable transport fleet is particularly significant given India’s geography, with its northern and northeastern frontiers presenting challenging operating environments for the armed forces.
Military transport aircraft also play a role in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations beyond India’s borders.
The IAF’s C-17 fleet demonstrated this capability in June 2026 during ‘Operation Amistad’ following devastating earthquakes in Venezuela. Two C-17 Globemaster III aircraft transported 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, the report said.
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