Three very different aircraft are competing for an Indian Air Force requirement that could reach 60 aircraft, but performance alone is unlikely to determine the winner

C-390 Millennium, C-130J Super Hercules and A400M are competing for a program that calls for most of the aircraft to be manufactured in India

Program to replace An-32 fleet moves forward as Embraer C-390 and C-130J emerge as main contenders

Competition expected between C-390, C-130J, A400M and possible Russian entry as IAF seeks to replace aging Soviet transports

The new facilities, however, will depend on Millennium's selection in the IAF MTA program

Manufacturer and rivals Airbus and Lockheed Martin position themselves at Aero India 2025 for future request for proposals by the Air Force this year, but MTA program may take time

The company will participate in Aero India 2025, which will take place in Bengaluru from February 10 to 14

Brazilian company looks to order up to 80 tactical transport aircraft from the Indian Air Force, which is evaluating the C-390 Millennium

Additional assembly line to be established if partners win MTA program, which foresees up to 80 tactical airlifters for the Indian Air Force

Indian group and the Brazilian company signed a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate potential production of the military freighter for the Indian Air Force