Germany Offers India A400M Transport Aircraft to Counter Chinese Influence Along LoC, Exploring C-295M Like Deal

Germany Offers India A400M Transport Aircraft to Counter Chinese Influence Along LoC, Exploring C-295M Like Deal


Germany is making a strong push to supply its A400M Atlas military transport aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF), positioning the advanced platform as a key asset for India's strategic airlift needs.

The proposal was prominently featured during bilateral talks in New Delhi on September 3, 2025, between German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

This offer signals a significant deepening of Indo-German defence ties and aims to build on the successful "Make in India" model established by the recent Airbus C-295M aircraft deal.

During his two-day visit, Foreign Minister Wadephul underscored the strategic rationale behind the offer, highlighting the A400M's capabilities in bolstering India's logistical strength, particularly in the challenging high-altitude terrains along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.

He described the A400M as a "reliable, versatile platform" essential for enhancing the IAF's tactical and strategic mobility.

The discussions also spanned broader issues, including efforts to double bilateral trade, Indo-Pacific stability, and global security challenges, reflecting Germany's view that its partnership with New Delhi is "pivotal in defence and technology."

The A400M is a leading contender for India’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program, which seeks to procure 40 to 80 new aircraft.

This initiative, valued at over $10 billion, is critical for replacing the IAF's aging fleet of more than 100 Soviet-era Antonov An-32 and its operational Ilyushin Il-76 heavy transport aircraft.

The IAF requires a modern platform with a payload capacity between 18 and 30 tonnes to bridge the gap between its existing light and heavy airlifters.

The program places a strong emphasis on technology transfer and domestic manufacturing to boost India's indigenous defence industry.

Developed by Airbus Defence and Space, the four-engine A400M boasts technical specifications that its proponents argue are superior to its main competitors, the American C-130J Super Hercules and the Brazilian Embraer C-390 Millennium.

With a maximum payload of 37 tonnes, the A400M can carry nearly double the load of the C-130J and is capable of transporting heavy equipment like the Indian Army's new 25-tonne Zorawar light tank.

Its ability to operate from short and unpaved runways, combined with a high cruising speed of 780 km/h, makes it ideal for rapid deployment of troops and material across India's vast and diverse geography.

A key aspect of Germany's proposal is the potential to replicate the manufacturing arrangement of the C-295M aircraft.

In a landmark 2021 deal, India contracted for 56 C-295M planes, with 40 being built in India by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) at a new facility in Vadodara, Gujarat.

This project marked the first time a private Indian company would manufacture a complete military aircraft.

Airbus has expressed its readiness to establish a similar final assembly line for the A400M, potentially with TASL, if India places a substantial order of around 80 units, which could also open avenues for exporting the aircraft from India.

Minister Jaishankar welcomed the deepening defence cooperation, emphasizing the 25-year milestone of the Indo-German Strategic Partnership.

He noted that India looks to Germany for support in concluding the long-pending Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union and for collaboration on counter-terrorism efforts.

The high-level talks also covered Germany’s encouragement for India to use its diplomatic channels with Russia to help find a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.

Despite its advanced capabilities, the A400M faces significant challenges, primarily its high procurement cost, estimated at around $220-250 million per unit, which is considerably more than its competitors.

Airbus contends that the aircraft's multi-role versatility and greater fuel efficiency result in lower long-term operational costs, offsetting the initial expense.

The IAF is expected to conduct user trials for the MTA program by 2026, with the goal of beginning inductions between 2030 and 2035 to systematically phase out its older transport fleets.
 
A400M has a really good chance if MTA really happens. The C295 is already being assembled in India by TATA. Therefore, it is logical to go for the A400M so that it can also be easily built in India. Most importantly, the logistical cost and spare parts cost will also reduce. But when will the MRT deal be cleared? It is already a 15-year delay. All Indian Air Force projects are delayed by decades. Why?
 
They might push for EF Typoon also next, how about making A400 in India with at least 50% ToT.
 
Be careful with military purchases from Europe. Most likely, that region is going to see Putin's wrath, and under those circumstances, India's defence capabilities will fall victim to non-comparative European OEMs.
 
The A400M is a really solid choice. It's European so we don't have to worry about Murica blocking spares in the future. Make in India is again a good thing, and it's almost close to a strategic airlifter. Good choice, we should procure at least 20.
 
A400 is fine, but India and Germany should focus on long-range anti-aircraft missiles and surface-to-surface missiles useful for both defence and offense.
 
A400M has a really good chance if MTA really happens. The C295 is already being assembled in India by TATA. Therefore, it is logical to go for the A400M so that it can also be easily built in India. Most importantly, the logistical cost and spare parts cost will also reduce. But when will the MRT deal be cleared? It is already a 15-year delay. All Indian Air Force projects are delayed by decades. Why?
C-295 and A400 are also aircrafts that once the local ecosystem for these is readied and with the technology transfer on the cards, both will open doors for made-in-India produced commercial aircrafts too. No more funds going to unreliable Boeing.
 
I feel the best option is to choose the C-390 and ask Embraer to have a local factory with a local group and build them along with commercial planes. We should also develop a 100-ton transport plane as well as all commercial planes in India.
 
India does need to think very quickly on finding a replacement for the old IL-76 that we currently have and need replacing and to buy another 40-80 transport planes that we also need. The simple fact is that if we made a deal with France or USA then it will be very expensive even if we manufactured it under a license indigenously. Another problem is that we wouldn’t receive any critical technology or get to manufacture it indigenously.

Russia has developed a brand new version with the latest technology, can carry 60T of payload, better availability, low MRO needed, reduced fuel consumption, new engines with a longer lifespan with more reliable and effective engines than previous older ones etc.

Russia is desperate for money and this can be a good opportunity for India to make a cheaper deal than usual. This will allow us to learn on how to design, develop and manufacture a large transport plane and the technology, parts and components required to do that. This will make us more self reliant by cutting down on foreign expensive imports and our heavy reliance on them.

The only problem is the USA and the threat of sanctions which he might add on to the current 50% hike on all goods because of the Russian oil imports. Instead of targeting India they should target Europe and China first as they are importing the most from Russia.
 
Airbus A400M will meet our MTA need, and we can negotiate for joint manufacturing. Germany will be a reliable partner. It also helps in our good relations with the EU.
 
C-295 and A400 are also aircrafts that once the local ecosystem for these is readied and with the technology transfer on the cards, both will open doors for made-in-India produced commercial aircrafts too. No more funds going to unreliable Boeing.
LOL! You are jumping too far. It will never happen. Both the US and Europe will never let that happen. They've already blocked China, which is at least 20 years ahead in this regard.
 
The A400M is a really solid choice. It's European so we don't have to worry about Murica blocking spares in the future. Make in India is again a good thing, and it's almost close to a strategic airlifter. Good choice, we should procure at least 20.
lol ! You are forgetting Germany. Their sanctions and blocking spares on a particular day depends on which side of the bed the Chancellor gets up from and what his thoughts are that day about any country violating human rights !!
 
The A400 has a higher payload capacity, but it costs twice as much as the C290 and is also more expensive to operate. I doubt if the IAF will go for it unless it is for geopolitical reasons.
 
Counter chinese influences....my foot. You bloody European countries and the Americans will say all sorts of rubbish and do immoral things to do business. Indian bureaucrats and IAF must be smart to utilise their intelligence to counter these wicked merchants enticements.
 
I think that in today's changing geopolitics, you never know who would be a "Reliable and Consistent " supplier in long run and hence dual vendor in terms of C390 and A400 with as much TOT possible should be the way to go although this type of mixed reliance might look to be more expensive at first glance, but then, again, who knows, India might have its own technology developed in next 20/25 years if one private company like Tata Advanced Systems Limited were to tie up with both. BRAHMOS is a classic example of India developing its own world class missile
 
lol ! You are forgetting Germany. Their sanctions and blocking spares on a particular day depends on which side of the bed the Chancellor gets up from and what his thoughts are that day about any country violating human rights !!
Extremely prone to America pressure
Brazil we should choose
Barter deal method
 
Both aircrafts ,C390 of Embraer and A400 of Airbus.are good for aging AN32 annd IlL76 replaceument.
We should go for joint manufacturing and make in India.
 
Extremely prone to America pressure
Brazil we should choose
Barter deal method
Barter or no Barter. Let's face it that hat critical technology will never be shared by anyone and this may not sound pleasing but is a FACT or REALITY. Be it GE 404 or 414 engines that has delayed the Jet fighter technology for India, it is impossible that anyone will share their strategic expertise with India or any country. To give an analogy, will India share Brahmos technology with other countries? NOT by any chance. The answer is to move with multiple alternatives in initial years albeit high costs but keeping in mind, the Strategic Autonomy as well as Tech Sovereignty of India. Thus it is a false argument that such and such a country is more reliable than the other including USA. NO CHOICE. GRAB WHATEVER IS AVAILABLE with Atma Nirbhar policy of manufacturing in India and move closer and closer bridging the tech gap by taking one step at a time.
 

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