Airbus pitches A-400M transport aircraft for IAF’s Medium Transport Aircraft contest

Airbus has pitched its A-400M aircraft to replace AN-32s in the Indian Air Force fleet; aircraft offers higher carrying capacity, longer range and altitude than competitors; Airbus open to ‘Make in India’ component for potential deal

Aircraft manufacturer Airbus has pitched its A-400M transport aircraft in response to the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Request For Information (RFI) for a Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) with a carrying capacity of 18 to 30 tonnes. The submission deadline for the RFI issued in December 2022 was extended till March 31, and it has two other contenders, the Lockheed Martin C-130 and Embraer C-390. The MTA is a potential replacement for the much smaller AN-32s in service, and could also replace the larger IL-76.

“Yes, we have responded to the RFI and offered the A-400. It is a value addition. The A-400 carries twice the payload to twice the range than the competitors. It is bigger than the others [in competition],” Jean-Brice Dumont, head of Military Air Systems, Airbus, said while speaking to a small group of visiting journalists from India, earlier this week. “It’s about showing how we bring value,” he said of the pitch.

Venkat Katkuri, head of Airbus Defence and Space in India said the contest is in the RFI stage and they had shared their intent with the IAF. To questions on a possible ‘Make in India’ component as part of the potential deal, on the lines of the C-295 transport aircraft, Mr. Katkuri said they were open to it, and to industrialising the A400, should the numbers be viable.

The RFI states that it is envisaged to commence deliveries of the platform within 36 months of the signing of the contract; the specific number of MTA required is not mentioned; vendors have been asked to provide a ‘Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost of aircraft and associated equipment’ for a batch of 40, 60, and 80 aircraft, respectively.

Airbus is pitching the A-400M, which can carry a maximum payload of 37 tonnes, as a replacement for the old fleets of C-160, C-130 and IL-76 aircraft. It has 178 orders from 10 countries, with the order book going up to 2030. Airbus officials pitched A-400M as a “game-changer” for the IAF, which can carry heavy and outsized loads over longer distances and can fly up to a maximum altitude of 40,000 feet.

The A-400M can deliver mission-critical equipment directly where they are most needed, onto short and unpaved airstrips where IL-76 and C-17 cannot operate, Roberto Martinez, Airbus’ A400M marketing manager said, while giving a detailed presentation.