Overview
- Procurement follows the Buy & Make route with 12 aircraft in flyaway condition and 48 to be manufactured in India, moving next to DAC consideration for AoN before tenders.
- The programme is estimated at about Rs 1 lakh crore to refresh the IAF’s tactical airlift, replacing ageing An-32s and easing roles now handled by Il-76s.
- A competitive field has emerged with Embraer’s C-390 and Lockheed Martin’s C-130J as primary contenders, while Airbus has pitched the larger A400M.
- Industrial alignments factor heavily: Lockheed partners with Tata Advanced Systems, and reports differ on Embraer’s Indian partner, naming either Mahindra or Adani.
- Operational requirements prioritise high-altitude, short or semi-prepared strips including Ladakh and Northeast ALGs, and the DPB also approved DRDO’s unmanned combat drone design phase.