IAF Raises Doubts About RTA-90's Military Role, Seeks Design Overhaul for Increased Cargo Capacity

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has expressed reservations about the military utility of the proposed HAL/NAL Regional Transport Aircraft-90 (RTA-90), a civilian aircraft intended for the UDAN program connecting smaller Indian cities.

While the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is considering approving the project, the IAF is concerned about the aircraft's limited cargo capacity and suitability for military operations.

A senior IAF officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, highlighted the significant design changes required to convert the RTA-90 into a military cargo plane.

These modifications, including the addition of a rear ramp door, would still result in a cargo hold capacity of less than 18 tons, according to NAL estimates. While this exceeds the capacity of the IAF's recently inducted C-295M transporters, it falls short of the C-130J and the C-390M, a leading contender in the IAF's tender for 60 medium transport aircraft.

The IAF is wary of repeating past experiences with limited-role aircraft like the Avro, which proved inefficient for broader military operations. They fear that a military variant of the RTA-90 might lack versatility and end up with a narrow range of applications.

The MoD is eager for the IAF to participate in the RTA-90 program, aiming to leverage economies of scale and promote indigenous aircraft development. However, the IAF remains cautious, prioritizing operational effectiveness and avoiding potential limitations.

Despite these concerns, the IAF has not completely dismissed the RTA-90. They are open to exploring its potential as a force multiplier or a specialized platform for Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) or Electronic Warfare (EW) missions. This suggests a willingness to find a role for the aircraft if its design can be adapted to meet specific operational requirements.

The IAF's concerns underscore the challenges of balancing commercial viability and military requirements in indigenous aircraft programs. Finding a design solution that satisfies both civilian and military needs will be crucial for the RTA-90's success. This could involve further design revisions to increase cargo capacity and enhance the aircraft's adaptability for various military applications.

The RTA-90 program is a joint effort between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL). The UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) program is a government initiative aimed at improving regional air connectivity in India by making air travel more affordable and accessible.

 

[Anant]

The simple solution to this is to green-light the MTA tender and keep the Armed Forces' participation in the RTA program to a minimum. We aren't going to get both things here on one project.

The problem with enlarging the RTA would be that you'll then end up going into the size category of passenger jets, which will severely impact potential sales, and to an extent, defeat the purpose of the project, which is to connect smaller airports.

We also cannot afford two projects. Hence, the path is clear. The RTA should not be militarised with the idea of being a contender for the MTA requirement. Let's not mix everything up.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

With huge civilian market we can have multiple projects. Incentivize and promote pvt companies to design and manufacture aircrafts in India.

 

[swatkats_razor]

Why is IAF trying to fish in what aspires to be basically a civil aviation program.

Probably IAF sees this RTA-90 would be thrust down the their throat at a later time instead of a real MTA.

Let MoD involve IAF in a MTA project instead. Either way, as things stand currently, RTA-90 is at least 25 years into the future. And that suggested figure of 25 years, is me being very optimistic about HAL/NAL's capabilities.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Use it for civilian operations and develop RTA180 as well with both civilian and military variants. Make sure that RTA90 has at least 6-7000 KM range, this will help it in SIGNIT and EW operations.

 

[Instant Karma]

IAF's procurement officials seem resistant to embracing indigenously developed defense platforms. This suggests a potential conflict of interest.

 

[War is good for business]

With huge civilian market we can have multiple projects. Incentivize and promote pvt companies to design and manufacture aircrafts in India.

The numbers in the turboprop game are limited. We will not get al domestic orders either. A 2 billion dollar investment would require 1000 orders to amortize the cost at a $20mil markup over the production cost. From the 80s the ATR has not reached 2000 orders.

 

[Vijigishu ( विजिग्शु )]

IAF's procurement officials seem resistant to embracing indigenously developed defense platforms. This suggests a potential conflict of interest.

Don't worry, this NAL product won't see the light of day. These are just filler articles to keep everyone engaged. They haven't even completed the design yet and guys are talking about military utility for a civil aircraft.

 

[Instant Karma]

Don't worry, this NAL product won't see the light of day. These are just filler articles to keep everyone engaged. They haven't even completed the design yet and guys are talking about military utility for a civil aircraft.

Anyway HAL has already in advanced stage of negotiations with Emberor for local production of C 390 in India.

Russian are also going to manufacture their IL 76 and sukhoi superjet in India.

TATA will build the C130 in India. Already building C 295.

But we need our Indegenous transport and passengers planes brands like Boeing and Airbus with locally designed and built planes exported to the world so that we can be superpower.

 

[Vijigishu ( विजिग्शु )]

Anyway HAL has already in advanced stage of negotiations with Emberor for local production of C 390 in India.

Russian are also going to manufacture their IL 76 and sukhoi superjet in India.

TATA will build the C130 in India. Already building C 295.

But we need our Indegenous transport and passengers planes brands like Boeing and Airbus with locally designed and built planes exported to the world so that we can be superpower.

Yes we want that but NAL isn't the answer. They couldn't complete the SARAS even after govt revived it in 2016. They came up with Saras mk2 now and still going.

 

[Instant Karma]

Yes we want that but NAL isn't the answer. They couldn't complete the SARAS even after govt revived it in 2016. They came up with Saras mk2 now and still going.

Such huge projects can not be implemented by a single company. Even TATA Adani Ambani will not be able to pull out such a successful program. For that a lot of PSUs and private sector companies including big financial organizations like State Bank, HDFC bank have to be partners.

 

[Sandeep]

First we should definitely develop and start manufacturing the civil plane. This will allow us to travel within India easily and we will need a large number of planes because passenger use will increase into millions of passenger. Once HAL has manufactured the prototypes and certified the technology and equipment then we should issue a licence to several private companies to manufacture the planes 100% indigenously with Indian content only. This will produce more planes and reduce production costs.

Once the civil variant is sorted then they can make designs and plans to develop a military version with a rear ramp door that can accommodate pallets or troops depending on the need. If the payload is about 18T then we can still use this despite having the C295 and the future medium transport plane with a higher payload that our indigenous plane can’t meet.

We will also need this plane to carry out longer range transport missions, develop a maritime patrol aircraft, develop an armed anti submarine warfare plane, AWACS, ISTAR capable planes, EW/ESM.

 

[amerjit johal]

Why is IAF concerned about something that is still on paper/render/CGI - and will probably never be built.

 

[Kira]

The simple solution to this is to green-light the MTA tender and keep the Armed Forces' participation in the RTA program to a minimum. We aren't going to get both things here on one project.

The problem with enlarging the RTA would be that you'll then end up going into the size category of passenger jets, which will severely impact potential sales, and to an extent, defeat the purpose of the project, which is to connect smaller airports.

We also cannot afford two projects. Hence, the path is clear. The RTA should not be militarised with the idea of being a contender for the MTA requirement. Let's not mix everything up.

Very well said,but the Indian Babudom already starts dreaming of exports and countless variants even before a prototype is being developed and tested.
If day dreaming is an Olympic sports,then Indians would be grabbing all the medals leaving the Chinese and the Americans in the dust.

 

[M S Chatterji]

IAF wants Embraer or French.

 

[IB]

IAF wants Embraer or French.

IAF urgently needs a plane now not in 2050 2060 why do you want our people to use ancient and old planes from Russia which are falling apart and keep crashing every year. MMRCA and medium lift planes are too important to be left to good for nohthing.

 

[Anant]

The numbers in the turboprop game are limited. We will not get al domestic orders either. A 2 billion dollar investment would require 1000 orders to amortize the cost at a $20mil markup over the production cost. From the 80s the ATR has not reached 2000 orders.

Absolutely. As it is, this project will be a financial loss. One only hopes we can atleast learn something worthwhile to justify said loss.

Oh, and minor correction: At a 20 million USD markup, you need 100 orders to break even on a 2 billion USD development cost, not 1000 orders. 🙂

 

[Varaaah]

All US and European planes can be hacked and taken over. So ones own plane is the need of the hour.