Multi-Role Transport Aircraft (MTA)
After a rather long period, the requirements for the appearance of the Russian-Indian MTA (Multipurpose Transport Aircraft) aircraft were formed. However, the risks associated with the implementation of part of the requirements led to the "freezing" of this project in 2015, although legally the Indians still did not completely abandon it. A set of requirements, which were presented for the aircraft, led to a high degree of technical risks. As soon as the degree of novelty in the project exceeded a certain threshold, there were questions related either to the timing of implementation, or to the attainability of the declared characteristics, or to the price.
On June 6, 2001, a protocol on the commencement of work on the development of a joint multi-role four-engined turboprop transport aircraft IL-214 was signed between Russia and India. For the Russian Party, the Protocol was signed by Mr. Ilya Klebanov, the Vice-Premier of the Government of Russia, for the Indian Party - by Mr. Jaswant Singh, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Defense. Mr. Klebanov commented that the IL-214 would be the most promising aircraft of the XXI century.
In India, the new aircraft was proposed to replace 110 An-32 transport aircraft. For HAL, which pulled out of the trans-national Sukhoi Superjet 100 or Russian Regional Jet project, the MRTA was a shot in the arm in its quest to design and manufacture a transport aircraft. For the IAF, which had an inventory of around 80 of the 5.5 tonne An-32 medium tactical transport aircraft, also known as the 'Metac', the larger MRTA will mean a swifter and larger movement of paratroopers
In the course of a detailed working out and harmonization of the requirements set by Air Force of Russia and India, the MTA project was significantly changed from the Il-214 baseline, and the aircraft's payload capacity and cargo compartment dimensions were increased. None of the engines currently manufactured in Russia can be applied to the new aircraft.
In May 2013, the MoD issued a global tender —called a “request for proposals” or RfP — to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), including US firms, Boeing and Lockheed Martin; European multinational Airbus Defence & Space; Antonov of Ukraine; Swedish company Saab; Ilyushin of Russia; and Italian company, Alenia Aeromacchi. These OEMs were required to partner an Indian private company to build 40 aircraft in the country, after delivering the first 16 off-the-shelf, all within eight years.
Yet, for various reasons, only one OEM bid. Among those left out was Antonov, of Ukraine, which had partnered Larsen & Toubro (L&T) in a proposal to build the An-132 aircraft in India. However, political turmoil in Ukraine stalled its bid. The Swedish company, which wanted to supply the Saab-2000 aircraft, did not bid because the MoD was unwilling to let it build all 56 aircraft in India. The RfP insisted that 16 aircraft must be supplied in flyaway condition. Saab, having shut down its line in Sweden, wanted to build all the aircraft in India, which the RfP did not provide for.
Russian manufacturer Ilyushin wanted to supply the IL-214 Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA) which was being developed as a joint venture of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) of Russia and Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) of India. The MTA was expected to replace the Indian Air Force's aging fleet of Antonov An-32 transport aircraft.
R. P. Chakraborty, Deputy General Manager (IMM) at HAL said August 29, 2013 "in the case of MTA, it’s not the Russian government that requires it. We need it". The MTA will replace India’s Antonov An-32 transport aircraft and should enter the Indian Air Force by 2018.
By early 2015 the earliest that IAF was expected to receive the first aircraft in 2018-19, though not much was known about its progress.
On 06 February 2015 India cancelled its international tender on medium-lift military transport aircraft. The country would instead purchase Multi-Role Transport Aircraft (MTA) designed and being manufactured jointly by India and Russia. India did not find the proposal of participants in the tender for supplying 56 aircraft worth $3 billion satisfactory. As a result, the Defense Ministry not only declined the deal, but also cancelled the tender altogether.
HAL received five proposals on its proposal to select a partner to manufacture a 50-80 seater aircraft in India. Antonov, GKN Aerospace, IAI, Ilyushin and ATR placed bids for the project. Out of the five bids, by May 2016 Antonov emerged as a clear winner as it met all the requirements set by HAL. Antonov's aircraft were of recent design with state-of-the-art aviation systems like fly-by-wire, high-efficiency engines and all-weather operations.
By the end of 2020 HAL had yet to formally terminate its 2012 Ilyushin-Il-278 Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA) joint venture (JV) project with Russia, in which each side had initially invested $300 million apiece. Intended as a replacement for the IAF’s fleet of legacy Antonov An-32 ‘Cline’ transport aircraft that entered service with it 1986 onwards, the MTA was scheduled to conduct its first test flight by 2017, but never did.
The Defence Acquisition Council cleared the Indian Air Force's plan to buy 56 C295 aircraft in 2015, with the Coast Guard order following later. The Indian Air Force selected the C295 as the replacement for its ageing fleet of Avro 748 transport aircraft.
Embraer Defense & Security and Mahindra announced February 12, 2024 that they had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the objective of jointly fulfilling the acquisition of the C-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft by the Indian Air Force in its upcoming Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) procurement project. The MoU was signed at the Embassy of Brazil in New Delhi.
“We are honored to announce this MoU with Mahindra . India has a diverse and strong defense and aerospace industry and we have chosen Mahindra as our partner to jointly pursue the MTA program” said Mr Bosco da Costa Junior, President & CEO, Embraer Defense & Security. “India is a key market for Embraer and we fully support India’s ambitions for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. We see this partnership as a symbol of strengthening relations between Brazil and India and a way to foster Global South cooperation.”
Embraer and Mahindra will engage with the Indian Air Force to identify the next steps of the MTA program, as well as contact the local aerospace industry in India to start developing the industrialization plan for the project.
Mr Vinod Sahay, President Aerospace & Defence Sector and Member of Group Executive Board, Mahindra said, “We are proud to start this partnership with Embraer, a company that is known for its engineering excellence and a unique portfolio of aircraft and systems. The C-390 Millennium is the most advanced military airlifter in the market, and we believe that this partnership will not only bolster the operational prowess of the Indian Air Force, but also provide an efficient industrialization solution that aligns seamlessly with the objectives of Make in India.”
The MoU was signed by Embraer Defense & Security and Mahindra Defence Systems, a 100% owned subsidiary of Mahindra, that focuses on armored transport and security-related products including electronics.
Embraer has an established presence in India across the fields of defense, commercial aviation and executive aviation. In August 2023, Embraer held a C-390 Millennium Day in New Delhi, India to deepen engagement with the local aerospace industry which was very well attended by the Indian ecosystem.
The C-390 Millennium multi-mission tactical transport aircraft offers unmatched mobility, combining high productivity and operating flexibility with low operating costs.
Since entering operation with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019 and most recently with the Portuguese Air Force in 2023, the C-390 has proven its capacity, reliability, and performance. The current fleet of aircraft in operation has accumulated more than 11500 flight hours, with operational availability of around 80% and mission completion rates above 99%, demonstrating exceptional productivity in the category. The C-390 Millennium attained its Full Operational Capability status by the Brazilian Air Force in 2023, which endorses the platform’s capability to carry out all missions it was designed to undertake.
To date, the C-390 Millennium has been selected by Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic and most recently, South Korea.
The C-390, the most modern military transport aircraft in the market, can carry more payload (26 tonne) compared to other medium-sized military transport aircraft and flies 870 km/h (470 knot). It is capable of performing a wide range of missions such as transporting and dropping cargo and troops, medical evacuation, search and rescue, aerial firefighting, and humanitarian missions, operating on temporary or unpaved runways such as packed earth, soil, and gravel. The aircraft configured with air-to-air refueling equipment, with the designation KC-390, has already proven its aerial refueling capacity both as a tanker and as a receiver, in this case by receiving fuel from another KC-390 using pods installed under the wings.
The collaboration around the C-390 Millennium will bring the latest technology in terms of aerospace & military transport aircraft to India. Both Embraer and Mahindra will explore the potential to turn India into a future hub of the C-390 aircraft for the region.
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