India’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program is entering a decisive phase, with local media reports indicating that Airbus’ A400M is increasingly viewed as unsuitable due to its size and cost.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is seeking to acquire 60 aircraft under the program, following an Acceptance of Necessity approved in March. The new fleet will replace more than 100 Antonov An-32 transports that have been in service since the 1980s, while also easing the workload on larger Il-76 aircraft.
Airbus, Embraer and Lockheed Martin have been competing for the contract, but recent assessments reported in India suggest the A400M no longer aligns with the core requirements of the program.
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The European airlifter offers a payload of up to 37 tonnes and combines tactical and strategic capabilities. However, its estimated unit cost of $200 million to $220 million has raised concerns, particularly for missions typically involving payloads between 18 and 30 tonnes.
Using an aircraft in the A400M class for routine transport tasks is seen as inefficient from a cost perspective, according to the reports, which note that multiple medium transports could be acquired for the price of a single Atlas.
The focus has shifted toward smaller platforms, with Embraer’s C-390 Millennium and the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules emerging as the main candidates.
The C-390 offers a payload of about 26 tonnes and a cruise speed near 870 km/h, with jet engines that enable faster long-distance operations. Embraer has also partnered with Mahindra Defence Systems and proposed a final assembly line in India, aligning the bid with the government’s domestic industrial policy.
Lockheed Martin’s C-130J, in turn, benefits from its existing presence in the IAF. India operates 12 aircraft, with established infrastructure, trained crews and supply chains already in place. The turboprop transport is also known for its ability to operate from short and unpaved airstrips, a key requirement in regions such as Ladakh and the country’s northeast.
The aircraft, however, has a lower payload capacity of around 20 tonnes and is based on an older design compared with the C-390.
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Regardless of who wins, the majority of the aircraft (around 48) will be assembled in India, and for this, Embraer has established a partnership with Mahindra, while Lockheed already has ties with the Tata Group.
