The Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program of the Indian Air Force (IAF) has reportedly changed its requirements to select a tactical transport aircraft, of which at least 40 units will be ordered.
According to the IDRW outlet, the IAF has now required that the aircraft be capable of carrying the Zorawar light tank, developed in the country.
Since it weighs 25 tons, the vehicle could not be loaded on the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules, which is limited to a payload of around 21 tons.
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The requirement would therefore limit the IAF’s options to the Embraer C-390 Millennium, which has a payload of only slightly more (26 tonnes), and the more spacious Airbus A400M, which can carry up to 37 tonnes.
Expanded scope
The Zorawar tank is being developed by the Indian government, through the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, in partnership with the company Larsen & Toubro.
The aim is to provide a light tank for the Indian Army that can operate in mountainous and high-altitude terrain. A prototype recently underwent firing tests in desert regions.
The Army has ordered 59 armored vehicles and is due to receive them from 2027.
The deployment of this fleet by air suggests that the Air Force is expanding the scope planned for its future medium transport aircraft, which could be used in more scenarios than previously considered.
The MTA program does not yet have a clear timeline, but the aircraft will certainly be largely assembled in India with some local partner.
Embraer has partnered with Mahindra, while the Tata Group has partnerships with both Airbus, with which it will assemble the C295 turboprop, and Lockheed Martin, from which it supplied components for the C-130J.
