Indian Air Force contemplates long-range transport aircraft
The KC-390 airlifter from Brazil is one contender for India’s Medium Transport Aircraft requirement. (Image: Embraer)
India's Medium Transport Aircraft requirement has been spluttering along for some time, with three likely contenders still remaining.
The deadline for an RfI covering the procurement of medium transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF) has been extended from 3 February to 31 March. The transporters, to be made in India, are needed to replace ageing Il-76MDs acquired in the mid-1980s and set to retire in 2028.
Authorised Indian vendors can respond to the RfI by providing a rough order of magnitude cost for the planes and associated equipment in batches of 40, 60 and 80 aircraft, respectively.
Providing the groundwork for project planning, the estimate includes the cost of the aircraft, ground-handling equipment and support, tools
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Nuclear “Manhattan Project-type endeavour” plausible for AI advancement, says UK Chief of Defence Staff]()
Nuclear “Manhattan Project-type endeavour” plausible for AI advancement, says UK Chief of Defence Staff
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin also urged caution over a “drone-tastic” way of thinking when it comes to their use alongside traditional air and underwater domain platforms.
-
![Teal Drones delivers first Black Widows as parent company reports six-month loss]()
Teal Drones delivers first Black Widows as parent company reports six-month loss
In July 2025 Teal Drones was awarded Tranche 2 of the US Army’s Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) programme for a small uncrewed aerial system (sUAS).
-
![Elbit Systems discloses Iron Beam update and work on laser solution for IAF]()
Elbit Systems discloses Iron Beam update and work on laser solution for IAF
In its Q2 earnings call, the company said it has internal targets set for similar double-digit growth for 2026, as it welcomed a 21% boost in 2025 profits so far compared to 2024.
