Archive · 13 Aug 2026
India To Buy 60 Transport Aircraft, 150 Trainers For Self-Reliance
India wants to build new airplanes for its Air Force so it does not have to buy them all from other countries.
The government wants 60 big transport planes that can carry troops, equipment, and supplies.
It also wants 150 trainer planes that teach pilots how to fly.
These planes will be built in India as part of a plan called Atmanirbhar Bharat, which means self-reliant India.
Big Indian companies like Tata, Mahindra, and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited are interested in making them.
The project is very expensive, with the transport planes costing around one lakh crore rupees and the trainers about 15,000 crore rupees.
The new transport planes would help the military reach places like the Himalayas and island territories.
The trainer planes would help build a bigger pipeline of pilots for the Air Force.
This is still an early step in the buying process, so it will take time before the planes are actually built.
Overall, it is a big push toward making India's own military aircraft.
India's Ministry of Defence issued two requests for information (RFI) to acquire 60 multi-role transport aircraft and 150 trainer aircraft for the Indian Air Force.
The transport aircraft programme is valued at close to Rs 1 lakh crore and prioritizes domestic manufacturing under the Atmanirbhar Bharat approach.
The trainer aircraft deal is estimated to be worth around Rs 15,000 crore, with HAL holding an edge due to its existing HTT-40 basic trainer.
Tata Group, Mahindra Group, and state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) are expected to lead the race for the contracts.
Both procurements are at the RFI stage, with a trainer aircraft contract possibly signed within the next 12-16 months.
- Who
- India's Ministry of Defence and the Indian Air Force, with Tata Group, Mahindra Group, and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) expected to compete.
- What
- The launch of two RFI processes to acquire 60 multi-role transport aircraft and 150 trainer aircraft, built domestically in India.
- When
- Currently at the RFI stage; a contract for the trainer aircraft may be signed within the next 12-16 months.
- Where
- India, with aircraft to be manufactured domestically.
- Why
- To advance the government's Atmanirbhar Bharat self-reliance drive in defence, replace the ageing tactical transport fleet, and expand the pilot training pipeline.
- Transport Aircraft
- 60 multi-role transport aircraft
- Transport Programme Value
- Close to Rs 1 lakh crore
- Trainer Aircraft
- 150 trainer aircraft for the Indian Air Force
- Trainer Programme Value
- Approximately Rs 15,000 crore
- Expected Bidders
- Tata Group, Mahindra Group, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
- Procurement Stage
- Requests for Information (RFI)
- Policy Context
- Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) defence manufacturing
- Trainer Contract Timeline
- Possible signing within 12-16 months