:
The Indian Air Force, which is looking to procure Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA), is carrying out a comprehensive study to identify the current and future payload-carrying requirements of the force. It has already issued a Request For Information (RFI) to global manufacturers for aircraft with load-carrying capacity between 18 to 30 tonnes. The 2020 stand-off with China in Eastern Ladakh has changed the nature of airlift and support for the Army required in high-altitude areas, two officials independently stated.
“There is a need to identify the current payload-carrying capacity. IAF is also in discussions with vendors. The study is ongoing and should take about six months to be completed,” an official source said. This comes as several of the legacy transport fleets are in need of replacement. The exact requirements of the MTA would be finalised based on the outcome of the study, the source stated.
