IAF's MTA aircraft acquisition attracts Lockheed Martin, Embraer

An Embraer KC-390 arrived in Bangalore for the Aero India 2023 show on 14 February. This is the type's first appearance in India. (Janes/Akhil Kadidal)

Embraer and Lockheed Martin have expressed interest in participating in the Indian Air Force's (IAF's) new Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) acquisition programme.

The IAF is seeking an option of acquiring a batch of 40, 60, or 80 transport aircraft. In its request for information (RFI) released on 3 February, the IAF said that the aircraft are required to have a cargo-carrying capacity of between 18 and 30 tons. The document adds that the winning bidder is to commence “deliveries of [the] platform within 36 months of signing of contract”.

Speaking to Janes, João Bosco da Costa Junior, president and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, confirmed the company's interest in the MTA programme. “We are eager to engage with the relevant stakeholders to explore how Embraer can contribute to this project,” he said.

Embraer's interest in the project also prompted the company to display a Brazilian Air Force KC-390 Millennium twin-engined transport aircraft at the Aero India 2023 show. The biennial airshow was held in Bangalore from 13 to 17 February. The company told Janes that this is the first appearance of the aircraft in India.

“The C-390 Millennium's presence at [the] Aero India [2023 show], India's biggest defence show, reflects that we are convinced that the aircraft will bring benefits to the Indian Air Force,” da Costa Junior said.

Lockheed Martin said that it will bid for the project. Speaking to Janes during the Aero India 2023 show, Timothy J German, director of Global Pursuits at Lockheed Martin, said that the company will be submitting the baseline C-130J for the bid.