New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has initiated the process of acquiring a Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA), which is to be manufactured in the country under the 'Make in India' initiative. The MTA, to be used for various roles of a transport aircraft, would have a cargo carrying capacity of between 18 to 30 tonnes, the IAF said on Friday.
India has embarked on a massive transformation of its defence sector through the ambitious 'Make in India' programme. Several projects for the domestic manufacturing of various defence platforms such as missiles, field guns, tanks, aircraft carriers, drones, fighter planes, tanks, and helicopters are currently underway to meet the defence modernisation needs of the Indian armed forces.
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The Medium Transport Aircraft has been co-development and co-produced by Russian partners and HAL. It has been designed for the roles of a 15-20 ton Cargo / Troop transport, Para trooping / Airdrop of supplies including Low Altitude Parachute Extraction System (LAPES) capability. It can be configured in such a way that all types of cargo can be transported. The aircraft will also be capable of operating from semi-prepared runways.
The MTA would be replacing AN-32 medium-lift aircraft that need to be phased out starting from 2030. The AN-32 was inducted into the Indian Air Froce from the erstwhile Soviet Union. They have undergone some mechanical manoeuvres from Ukraine. They are extensively used to service forward areas. The AN-32s can operate from advanced landing grounds in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh. (With inputs from ANI)
