The Indian Air Force (IAF) has quietly shelved its proposal to procure six additional C-130J Super Hercules aircraft through a direct foreign military sale, marking a significant pivot in its procurement strategy.
Instead of expanding its existing fleet of 12 tactical airlifters via a standalone deal, the service has decided to consolidate its requirements under the upcoming Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) tender.
This massive programme, estimated to be worth over $5 billion, envisages the acquisition of up to 80 new transport aircraft and is slated for official launch in early 2026.
The move signals a clear shift towards rationalising the transport fleet and supporting domestic manufacturing capabilities under the 'Make in India' initiative.
Originally, the plan to acquire six more C-130Js was intended to bolster the IAF’s special operations capabilities.
The force currently operates 12 of these aircraft, inducted in phases since 2011, which have become the backbone of special missions. These aircraft are famed for their ability to land on austere airstrips, such as the Daulat Beg Oldi Advanced Landing Ground in Ladakh, situated at an altitude of nearly 16,600 feet.
The proposed follow-on order was meant to replace a unit lost in a 2014 crash and further augment the fleet for two-front contingencies. However, defence sources indicate that the IAF is now prioritising a unified platform capable of meeting diverse operational needs rather than managing multiple smaller fleets with distinct logistics chains.
Funds previously earmarked for the C-130J acquisition will now be redirected to the MTA competition. This contest aims to find a successor for the ageing Antonov An-32 fleet, which has served as the IAF’s workhorse for decades but is facing declining serviceability.
The MTA project mandates a high degree of indigenisation, with a requirement for at least 30 per cent indigenous content.
By folding the special operations requirement into this larger tender, the IAF hopes to leverage economies of scale and ensure that the winning platform can integrate Indian-made avionics and subsystems, a key objective of the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.
The decision to merge these requirements has intensified the competition among global aerospace giants.
Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the C-130J, remains a strong contender, leveraging its existing footprint in India. In December 2025, the company, in partnership with Tata Advanced Systems Limited, commenced construction of a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Bengaluru, intended to service the global Super Hercules fleet.
However, the revised specifications for the MTA, particularly the need to carry the 25-tonne Zorawar light tank, may place the C-130J at a disadvantage due to its 20-tonne payload limit.
This technical requirement has opened the door for heavier competitors.
Embraer’s C-390 Millennium, which offers a 26-tonne payload capacity, has emerged as a frontrunner, bolstered by a strategic partnership with Mahindra Defence announced in late 2025.
Similarly, Airbus is pitching its A400M Atlas, a heavy-lifter capable of carrying 37 tonnes, which would offer the IAF a significant leap in payload capability, albeit at a higher cost.
As the Defence Acquisition Council prepares to grant the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the tender, the race to equip the IAF’s future transport squadrons is set to become one of the most closely watched defence deals of the decade.
