The Defence Procurement Board (DPB) has approved the acquisition of 60 medium transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF), addressing a critical gap in the service's ageing fleet. Existing platforms like the Soviet-era An-32 and Il-76 have served reliably for decades but are now increasingly maintenance-intensive and nearing obsolescence, reported web portal Times Now.

This move aligns with India's push for enhanced strategic airlift capabilities, vital for operations in high-altitude regions such as Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.

The DPB, comprising senior bureaucrats and armed forces officers, convened yesterday and unanimously endorsed the need for these 60 aircraft. Of these, 12 will be procured in flyaway condition for rapid induction, while the remaining 48 will be manufactured in India.

This structure adheres to the 'Buy and Make' category under the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP)-2020, emphasising Atmanirbharta or self-reliance.

Prime contenders include Brazil's Embraer C-390 Millennium, partnered with Mahindra Defence Systems, and the United States' Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules, tied up with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL).

Both aircraft boast payloads exceeding 25 tons, short take-off and landing capabilities, and suitability for rugged terrains. The final selection will hinge on technical evaluations, lifecycle costs, and offset commitments following bid submissions.

Valued at approximately ₹1,00,000 crore, the deal promises substantial industrial offsets, technology transfers, and local production. It builds on prior successes like the C-295 project, where Airbus and TASL are establishing a final assembly line in Vadodara. Such initiatives bolster India's aerospace manufacturing ecosystem, creating jobs and nurturing skills in composite materials, avionics, and engine maintenance.

In parallel, the DPB greenlit the Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) design and development of an indigenous unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV). This long-term project, likely spanning 7-10 years to prototype and induct, targets deep-strike, surveillance, and loitering capabilities.

It reflects lessons from recent conflicts, including the Armenia-Azerbaijan war, Russia-Ukraine engagements, and the recent Middle East drone operations, where affordable, attritable systems have proven decisive.

India already operates a mix of imported drones, including Israeli Heron and Searcher for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), alongside loitering munitions like the Harop. A landmark $4 billion deal with General Atomics for 31 MQ-9B Predators—15 SeaGuardian variants for the Navy, eight SkyGuardian for the Army, and eight for the IAF—further strengthens this portfolio. These high-altitude, long-endurance platforms offer over 30 hours of endurance and precision strike options, with deliveries commencing post-2019 offsets.

The timing of these approvals underscores the IAF's sanctioned strength shortfall, currently at 31 squadrons against a required 42. While the 114 Rafale Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) proposal—valued over ₹2 lakh crore with 60% indigenous content—remains under consideration, transport and drone enhancements provide immediate multipliers.

Rafales would plug fighter gaps along the China and Pakistan borders, integrating seamlessly with indigenous systems like Astra missiles.

Indigenous components in these deals are pivotal, driving technology absorption and reducing import dependence from 70% to under 50% in key areas by 2027, per Defence Minister targets. DRDO's UCAV, potentially leveraging Ghatak program tech like stealth airframes and internal weapons bays, could incorporate AI for autonomous swarming, echoing global trends in US Replicator and Chinese Wing Loong III initiatives.

High-altitude logistics remain a cornerstone, with new transports enabling rapid supply to forward bases amid LAC tensions. The C-390 or C-130J's air-to-air refuelling compatibility and tactical roles—such as paradrops and casualty evacuation—enhance joint operations with the Army and Navy. This acquisition dovetails with the IAF's Network Centric Operations doctrine, linking assets via integrated air command systems.

Challenges persist: offset fulfilment by foreign vendors has historically lagged, and DRDO projects often face delays due to funding and testing rigours. Yet, private sector involvement via TASL and Mahindra signals maturity, with production hubs in Gujarat and Maharashtra poised for scale-up. 

Geopolitically, opting for US or Brazilian platforms navigates Russia-Ukraine supply disruptions affecting spares for An-32s.

Recent conflicts highlight drones' asymmetry: Ukraine's use of over 100,000 loitering munitions monthly has neutralised superior armour, while Azerbaijan's Harops decimated Armenian defences. India's UCAV aims for similar edge, potentially armed with BrahMos-NG or Rudram missiles, supporting tri-service ops in the Indian Ocean Region.

C-390's selection could pivot India towards BRICS-aligned diversification, while C-130J leverages Quad interoperability. Coupled with Gaganyaan and AMCA timelines, these steps position India as a defence innovation hub by 2030.

Times Now