IAF to acquire new indigenous transport aircraft to replace AN-32

NewsBharati 04-Feb-2023 10:04:44 AM

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New Delhi, Feb 4: In a significant development, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has initiated the process of acquiring a Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) which will replace the old Soviet-origin AN-32 transport aircraft in service. It has issued a Request For Information (RFI) for the procurement of a Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) with a carrying capacity of 18 to 30 tonnes.

The MTA, which will be manufactured in India with foreign collaboration, "would be used for carrying cargo between 18 to 30 tonnes", says the RFI (request for information) issued by the IAF. The vendors have to submit their responses by March 31.

Indian Air Force has initiated the process for acquiring Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) to be manufactured within the country under 'Make in India' initiative. The MTA would be used for various roles of transport aircraft between 18 to 30 tonnes of cargo carrying capacity: IAF pic.twitter.com/D9SFKd2cJb
— ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2023

In the RFI for the MTA, the IAF asked the vendors to provide details about setting-up a dedicated manufacturing line in India, including design, integration and manufacturing processes, either through their own subsidiaries or in joint ventures. The vendors should also consider making India a regional or global hub for manufacturing as well as MRO (maintenance, repair & overhaul) of the aircraft, it said.

“The overall time frame of production, delivery with stage wise breakup of the entire project post conclusion of contract is required to be submitted. It is envisaged to commence deliveries of platform within 36 months of signing of Contract,” the RFI said. The vendors are to provide Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost of aircraft and associated equipment among others for a batch of 40 aircraft/60 aircraft/80 aircraft, respectively, it stated.

Also Read: Indigenous weapons like BrahMos, Astra missiles give Indian Su-30s edge over Flankers operated by other countries: IAF

The IAF currently has over 90 AN-32 medium-lift aircraft, inducted from the erstwhile Soviet Union between 1984 and 1991, which have undergone some upgrade with help from Ukraine.

India has embarked on a massive transformation of its defence sector through the ambitious 'Make in India' programme. Several projects for the domestic manufacturing of various defence platforms such as missiles, field guns, tanks, aircraft carriers, drones, fighter planes, tanks, and helicopters are currently underway to meet the defence modernisation needs of the Indian armed forces.