The nearly ₹1 lakh crore transport aircraft programme will prioritise domestic manufacturing, with Tata, Mahindra and HAL expected in the race
India is preparing for a major expansion of its military aviation manufacturing capacity, with the Defence Ministry seeking 60 multi-role transport aircraft and 150 trainer aircraft for the Indian Air Force in two separate procurement programmes.
The twin initiatives, together worth tens of thousands of crores of rupees, are aimed not only at modernising the IAF’s ageing fleet but also at accelerating India’s push for self-reliance in defence aerospace. The transport aircraft programme alone is estimated at nearly ₹1 lakh crore.
60 transport aircraft to be made in India
The larger of the two programmes involves 60 multi-role transport aircraft. The Defence Ministry’s requirements prioritise domestic manufacturing, meaning the aircraft are expected to be built in India rather than simply imported.
The programme is intended to replace or supplement the IAF’s ageing tactical transport fleet and improve the military’s ability to rapidly move troops, equipment and supplies across challenging areas, including the Himalayan frontier and India’s island territories.
Tata Group, Mahindra Group and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) are expected to be among the major contenders for the programme. Tata already has a significant presence in military transport aircraft manufacturing through its C-295 partnership with Airbus in Gujarat.
The proposed project could become one of India’s biggest indigenous aircraft manufacturing programmes, creating opportunities for a wider network of component manufacturers and small and medium enterprises.
150 trainer aircraft for IAF
The Defence Ministry has also issued a separate request for information for 150 trainer aircraft for the IAF.
The programme is expected to cost around ₹15,000 crore and is aimed at strengthening the pipeline for training military pilots.
HAL could have an advantage in the competition because it already manufactures the HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft and has an established production and supplier ecosystem.
The new trainer requirement comes as India looks to build a larger and more modern training fleet capable of preparing pilots for increasingly sophisticated combat aircraft.
Big boost for India’s aerospace industry
Together, the two programmes signal a broader change in India’s defence procurement strategy: large military aviation projects are increasingly being linked to domestic production, technology development and private-sector participation.
The transport aircraft programme could also deepen the ecosystem created around the C-295 project, while competition involving Tata, Mahindra and HAL could further expand India’s indigenous aerospace manufacturing capabilities.
The move comes as the government seeks to reduce dependence on imported defence platforms and build domestic capabilities across the entire supply chain.
If the programmes progress as planned, they could represent a major step towards making India not just a buyer of military aircraft, but an increasingly important manufacturer of them.
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