Archive · 13 Aug 2026
MoD issues ₹1 lakh crore tender for 60 IAF aircraft
India's government has asked companies to build 60 new, big cargo planes for the Indian Air Force.
The deal is worth almost ₹1 lakh crore, which is a huge amount of money.
The new planes will replace very old Russian-made planes called the Antonov An-32, which have been in service for many years.
They will help the Air Force move soldiers, equipment, and supplies quickly when needed.
Some of the new planes may even be used to refuel other planes while they are flying in the sky.
Most of the planes will be built in India, so Indian companies will work together with foreign companies like Embraer and Lockheed Martin.
Three Indian companies — HAL, Tata Advanced Systems Ltd, and Mahindra — have been invited to take part.
The new planes will fill the gap between smaller cargo planes and very large ones like the Boeing C-17.
Building the planes in India will also make the country's own aerospace industry stronger.
India's Ministry of Defence issued a tender worth nearly ₹1 lakh crore to acquire 60 multirole transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force.
The aircraft will replace the ageing Soviet-era Antonov An-32 cargo planes and supplement the IAF's logistics network.
Indian firms Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), Tata Advanced Systems Ltd, and Mahindra will lead the programme, with Mahindra Defence partnering Embraer (C-390) and TASL partnering Lockheed Martin (C-130).
Around 20 per cent of the planes will be delivered in fly-away condition, while the rest will be manufactured in India with over 60 per cent indigenous content.
The MTA may also serve as aerial refuelling tankers and will bridge the gap between light airlifters like the C-295 and heavy-lift platforms such as the Boeing C-17 Globemaster.
- Who
- India's Ministry of Defence, the Indian Air Force, and Indian companies HAL, Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL), and Mahindra, with foreign partners Embraer of Brazil and Lockheed Martin.
- What
- A tender worth nearly ₹1 lakh crore for 60 multirole transport aircraft (MTA) to replace ageing Antonov An-32 cargo planes and supplement the IAF's logistics network.
- When
- Wednesday, with articles published on August 12, 2026.
- Where
- India — most of the aircraft will be manufactured in India through joint ventures between Indian companies and original equipment manufacturers.
- Why
- To replace the ageing Soviet-era An-32 fleet, supplement the IAF's logistics network, enhance strategic airlift capabilities, and strengthen India's domestic aerospace industry.
- Tender value
- Nearly ₹1 lakh crore
- Aircraft sought
- 60 multirole transport aircraft (MTA)
- Buyer
- Indian Air Force
- Tender issuer
- Ministry of Defence (Wednesday, August 12, 2026)
- Bidder partnerships
- Mahindra Defence–Embraer (C-390); TASL–Lockheed Martin (C-130)
- Local manufacturing plan
- About 20% fly-away; remainder built in India with over 60% indigenous content
- IAF's current C-130J fleet
- 12 aircraft
- Potential additional roles
- Aerial refuelling tanker; rapid transport of troops and equipment; complements C-295 programme with Airbus (~70 aircraft)
