The hunt for An-32's successor: A400M, C-390 and C-130J emerge as frontrunners

The recent crash of an Indian Air Force (IAF) An-32 transport aircraft in Assam's Jorhat has drawn attention to the ageing fleet that has been a key part of the force's transport operations for more than 40 years.The An-32 aircraft, which crashed during a routine sortie, claimed the lives of five IAF personnel. According to Air Force officials, the aircraft was unable to land on the runway and crashed outside the airstrip area.Firefighting and rescue operations were launched immediately at the crash site.

Inducted into the IAF in 1984, the Soviet-origin An-32 has served as the backbone of India's tactical airlift operations for more than four decades.

India remains the largest operator of the aircraft, with more than 100 still in service, using it for logistics missions across high-altitude regions such as Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh and the Siachen Glacier.Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programmeRecognising that the An-32 fleet would eventually need replacement, India and Russia in the early 2000s launched an ambitious plan to jointly develop a new medium-lift transport aircraft under the Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme.

However, the programme struggled to move beyond the design stage. Differences emerged over the aircraft's specifications, engine configuration and eventually India formally withdraw from the project.The IAF search for a successor to An-32 formally gathered pace in December 2022 when it issued a Request for Information (RFP) to global manufacturers for aircraft with load-carrying capacity between 18 to 30 tonnes. The Defence Acquisition Board recently cleared a plan to procure 60 Medium transport aircraft (MTA) for IAF with an estimated cost of Rs 1 lakh crore. 12 airframes will be taken in fly away condition and 48 to be manufactured locally.The RFP received Responses from Airbus for the A-400M, Lockheed Martin for the C-130, and Embraer for the C-390. These three are the top contender for the MTA programme.· Airbus A-400M Atlas: The aircraft is a key contender in the competition, with a payload carrying capacity of up to 37 tonnes, higher than IAF requirement of 18-30 tonne.

Powered by four turboprop engines, it can operate at an altitude of 40,000 ft. A400M offers a range of 4,400 km with a 30-tonne payload and 6,300 km with a 20-tonne payload.· Embraer C-390 Millennium: The Brazilian aircraft is powered by two turbofan engines, the aircraft can cruise at Mach 0.8 (About 870 kmph), making it one of the fastest in the category. It has a maximum payload capacity of 26 tonnes and can fly for more than 2000km with that payload.

Embraer has partnered with Mahindra Defence and has proposed industrial cooperation and local manufacturing.· Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules: IAF currently operates 12 of them for special operations and has been extensively used for operations in high-altitude regions and on short, semi-prepared runways. It has a payload capacity of about 20 tonnes. It has a range of about 4,400 km with 18 tonnes of payload. All three contenders has their own strength in the competition. A400M Atlas offers highest payload and longest reach among the three, while C-390 Millennium stands out in Jet-powered design and a higher cruise speed. C-130J Super Hercules benefits from the proven operational record with IAF and reputation for operating from short and high-altitude airstrips