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India has taken a major step toward modernizing its military airlift capabilities after the country’s Defense Procurement Board approved a proposal to acquire 60 new medium transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force.

The program, estimated to cost around 1 trillion rupees, or about $10.9 billion, is part of a long-standing effort to replace aging Soviet-era aircraft that have served the Indian Air Force for decades. The proposal will now move to the Defense Acquisition Council for further review before the government issues a formal tender and begins the procurement process.

The new aircraft are expected to significantly improve the military’s logistics capacity, allowing faster troop deployments, cargo transport, and supply missions across India’s vast and often difficult terrain.

The modernization effort focuses on replacing older aircraft such as the Antonov An-32 and the Ilyushin Il-76, both of which entered service with the Indian Air Force in the 1980s. Over time, these platforms have become increasingly difficult to maintain due to aging components and a shrinking supply of spare parts.

The new transport aircraft will help bridge the operational gap between smaller light transport planes and heavy-lift aircraft. Officials say this will streamline the Indian Air Force’s airlift fleet while improving operational flexibility.

Military planners consider air transport a critical capability, particularly along India’s contested borders, where geography limits ground movement. The need for rapid logistics support became particularly evident during the military standoff with China in eastern Ladakh, where transport aircraft played a key role in sustaining troop deployments and moving equipment to high-altitude areas.

The new fleet will therefore be designed to operate in harsh environments, including high-altitude regions and remote areas with limited infrastructure.

Aircraft selected for the program must be capable of operating from short, semi-prepared, or unpaved runways, including advanced landing grounds in Ladakh and northeastern India. These conditions present significant performance challenges, especially when aircraft are carrying heavy payloads.

“Buy and Make” Strategy

The program will be carried out under India’s “Buy and Make” procurement framework, which combines foreign imports with domestic production and technology transfer.

Under the current plan, the first 12 aircraft will be delivered in flyaway condition directly from the manufacturer. The remaining 48 aircraft will be assembled in India through partnerships with domestic defense companies.

Officials say the goal is not only to acquire new aircraft but also to strengthen India’s domestic aerospace industry and reduce long-term dependence on foreign suppliers.

“The decision will be driven as much by industrial factors as by operational capability,” a source explained. “Technology transfer, domestic production, and sustainment will be key. It’s not just about the aircraft; it’s about the ecosystem that comes with it.”

Local manufacturing will likely include a significant share of indigenous components, aligning with New Delhi’s broader push to expand domestic defense production.

Competition Among Global Aerospace Firms

The program is expected to attract bids from several major international aerospace companies, setting up a competitive contest among manufacturers from the United States, Europe, and Brazil.

Brazil’s Embraer is widely expected to enter the competition with its C-390 Millennium transport aircraft. The company has partnered with Mahindra Defense for the bid and is promoting the aircraft’s jet-powered design, higher cruise speed, and multi-role capability. The C-390 has a payload capacity of roughly 26 tons, placing it near the upper end of the Indian Air Force’s stated requirements.

U.S. defense giant Lockheed Martin is likely to offer the C-130J Super Hercules, an aircraft already in service with the Indian Air Force. India currently operates 12 C-130J aircraft, which have developed a strong operational record in challenging environments. Lockheed Martin is expected to pursue the project in partnership with Tata Advanced Systems Limited, building on their long-standing manufacturing collaboration in India.

The C-130J has a payload capacity of around 20 tons, placing it at the lower end of the requirement range, but it benefits from an established maintenance and logistics ecosystem within the Indian military.

European aerospace company Airbus is also expected to compete with its A400M Atlas transport aircraft. The A400M offers a significantly larger payload capacity of more than 30 tons and combines both tactical and strategic airlift capabilities.

However, analysts note that the aircraft’s size and capacity may exceed the Indian Air Force’s specific requirements for the program, potentially making it a less natural fit despite its advanced capabilities.

Russia’s state-run aircraft manufacturer Ilyushin may also participate in the competition, potentially partnering with India’s state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

Building on Existing Transport Programs

The new transport aircraft program comes as India continues to expand its broader military aviation capabilities.

New Delhi is already working with Airbus to acquire up to 56 C-295 military transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force. That project also includes local production arrangements, with a portion of the aircraft being manufactured in India.

Together, these initiatives form part of a larger strategy to modernize India’s airlift capabilities while strengthening domestic aerospace manufacturing.

For military planners, transport aircraft play a critical role in supporting operations across the country’s vast territory and along sensitive border regions. Their ability to rapidly move troops, equipment, and supplies is considered essential in crises, humanitarian missions, and military deployments.

Delayed Program Moves Forward

India’s medium transport aircraft requirement has faced multiple delays over the years, including the collapse of a previous joint development effort with Russia.

The latest approval by the Defense Procurement Board marks the most significant progress in the project in several years. With the proposal now advancing to the Defense Acquisition Council, the next stage will involve formal approval of the requirement before the government issues a request for bids.

If the process moves forward as planned, the competition among international aerospace firms could become one of the largest military transport aircraft procurement programs currently underway.

Once completed, the new fleet is expected to play a central role in strengthening India’s logistical reach and military mobility, particularly across high-altitude regions and contested border areas where rapid air transport remains essential.