Medium Transport Aircraft Deal: C-130J-30 vs C-390 in the Race to Replace the IAF's Ageing AN-32 Fleet
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is choosing a new Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) to replace its ageing Soviet-era AN-32 aircraft and, over time, the IL-76. The Ministry of Defence issued the Request for Proposal (RFP) on 12 August 2026, with bids due by 2 December 2026.
The RFP formally seeks 60 aircraft, and the number could grow later. It asks for a payload (the weight an aircraft can carry) between 18 and 30 tonnes and at least 40% indigenous content (share of value made in India).
Two main contenders remain: Lockheed Martin's C-130J-30 Super Hercules (USA), teamed with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), and Embraer's C-390 Millennium (Brazil), teamed with Mahindra Defence. Airbus has dropped out, because its A400M carries about 37 tonnes, above the IAF's range.
Lockheed has proposed building 12 aircraft at its Marietta, Georgia plant and the remaining 48 in India with TASL. It claims the C-130J-30 carries 60% more passengers, 45% more fully equipped paratroopers and 30% more stretchers than older models.
The C-130J-30 is quoted at about 22 tonnes of payload and the C-390 at about 26 tonnes. The IAF already flies the C-130J, having received its first one in 2010-11.
Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) Programme and the IAF Airlift Fleet
An air force does not only fight. It must also move soldiers, weapons, food, fuel and medicines quickly, often to places that roads cannot reach. This job is called airlift, and the aircraft that do it are military transport aircraft. The Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme is India's plan to buy a new family of medium-sized transport planes for the Indian Air Force, and to build most of them in India.
The C-130J-30 vs C-390 contest is the final stage of the MTA programme. Whichever aircraft wins will replace the AN-32 as the IAF's medium airlift workhorse, and most of the 60 aircraft will be built in India with a private Indian partner.
Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020
The Defence Acquisition Procedure, or DAP, is the Ministry of Defence's rulebook for buying weapons, aircraft, ships and other big equipment for the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. It tells officials how to decide what to buy, whom to buy it from, how to test it and how to sign the contract. DAP 2020 is the version currently in use. Its main aim is to buy more from Indian industry and less from abroad.
The MTA deal is being run under the DAP framework, which is why the RFP demands at least 40% indigenous content and licensed production in India through an Indian partner. It shows how DAP rules push even a foreign-designed aircraft towards manufacture in India.
- MTA RFP: issued 12 August 2026; bids due 2 December 2026
- 60 aircraft sought; payload range 18 to 30 tonnes; minimum 40% indigenous content
- Contenders: C-130J-30 (Lockheed Martin with Tata Advanced Systems) and C-390 Millennium (Embraer with Mahindra Defence); Airbus A400M out
- Payload: C-130J-30 about 22 tonnes; C-390 about 26 tonnes; A400M about 37 tonnes
- Lockheed plan: 12 aircraft built in the USA, 48 in India
- Aircraft to be replaced: AN-32 (in service since 1984) and later the IL-76
- The IAF received its first C-130J-30 in 2010-11; the aircraft has logged around 58,000 flight hours in IAF service
- DAP 2020 remains in force; draft DAP 2026 released in February 2026