According to recent reports, Russia is preparing to pitch its advanced Il-76MD-90AE strategic airlifter to India, complete with a comprehensive Transfer of Technology (ToT) agreement.
This proposal comes at a critical time, as the Indian Air Force (IAF) is reportedly reconsidering the payload specifications for its upcoming Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) procurement programme.
If the IAF decides to increase its cargo capacity demands, the modernised Russian heavy-lifter could become a formidable option.
The Shifting Landscape of the MTA Programme
The IAF's MTA initiative is currently undergoing a significant strategic shift.Initially, the Request for Information (RFI) issued in late 2022 targeted the acquisition of up to 80 aircraft within the 18-to-30-ton payload category.
This original framework was designed primarily to phase out the ageing fleet of over 100 Antonov An-32 tactical transport planes.
Currently, the known contenders for the MTA tender include:
- Embraer C-390 Millennium (up to 26-ton capacity)
- Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules (roughly 20-ton capacity)
- Airbus A400M Atlas (37-ton capacity)
Because the legacy Il-76 handles payloads of over 40 tons, merging these two replacement streams could force the IAF to significantly raise the required cargo limits in its formal Request for Proposal (RFP).
This uncertainty creates an opening for heavier platforms to enter the competition.
The Il-76MD-90AE Advantage
The IAF already possesses decades of institutional experience operating Soviet and Russian transport aircraft, heavily relying on the An-32 and legacy Il-76 alongside the American Boeing C-17 Globemaster III.Russia hopes to capitalise on this familiarity with the Il-76MD-90AE, a deeply modernised version of the classic airframe.
Key upgrades of the Il-76MD-90AE include:
- Enhanced Payload and Engines: Equipped with four new-generation PS-90A-76 turbofan engines, the aircraft boasts improved fuel efficiency and a maximum payload capacity bumped up to 60 tons.
- Modernised Systems: The platform features a reinforced airframe and a fully digital "glass" cockpit, integrating modern flight control and navigation avionics.
- Versatile Operations: Crucially for India's varied terrain, the aircraft retains the ability to operate from short, semi-prepared, or unpaved runways—essential for high-altitude logistics near the borders and disaster relief missions.
Aligning with Domestic Defence Manufacturing
A major cornerstone of the Russian proposal is the inclusion of a Transfer of Technology (ToT) package.For India, importing finished defence hardware is increasingly taking a backseat to indigenous manufacturing.
By offering local assembly and manufacturing rights, Russia's pitch aligns seamlessly with the Indian government's Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
Should the IAF expand the MTA's payload requirements, a ToT-backed Il-76MD-90AE would allow India to build domestic aerospace expertise while securing a familiar, heavy-lift backbone for its future transport fleet.
