Source : Indian Defence Updates (IDU)

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The Indian Air Force has received 3 official bids from foreign aircraft manufacturers for its Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program and the IAF has also extended the deadline for submitting the bids to the end of March due to requests from some of the companies.

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Lockheed Martin has offered its C-130-30J Super Hercules that are already in service of the Indian Air Force, at $75.5 million dollars per unit that could be built in Indiaby Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructure Limited (TLMAL).

Russia has offered its Ilyushin IL-276 that could be built at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) while Brazilian company Embraer has offered its C 390 Millennium at $55 million dollars and they are also in talks with HAL for possible joint production and technology transfer agreement.

Airbus is also keen to offer its Airbus A-400 Atlas with 37 ton payload capacity but Airbus has sought some clarification from the Indian Air Force as it might be debarred due to the higher payload carrying capacity limit of 30 tons.

In terms of capability from the perspective of total tonnage or weight, among all the above 3-4 bids or interest, Brazilian Embraer C-390 fits the bid of the IAF as it is 26-ton and fits perfectly between the 18-30 ton specification, specifically mentioned by IAF in the bidding tender.