Focus on IAF's transport fleet ahead of Aero India

● Embraer is excited to be back at Aero India as we showcase the KC-390 Millennium and broad portfolio of defence and security solutions... EMBRAER DEFENSE AND SECURITY

- Rahul Singh

NEW DELHI: Brazilian plane maker Embraer on Wednesday announced that it will showcase its KC-390 Millennium transport aircraft at Aero India, Asia's biggest airshow, in Bengaluru from February 10 to 14, with the development bringing into focus the Indian Air Force's plans to buy up to 80 medium transport aircraft (MTA).

The two other players vying for the MTA order are US aerospace firm Lockheed Martin with its C-130J Super Hercules aircraft and European Airbus Defence and Space with its A-400M. While the C-130J is already in service with the Indian Air Force (IAF), the A-400M will also be on display at the airshow.

The three-cornered contest to equip IAF with 40 to 80 aircraft is in line with the government's Make in India initiative to boost self-reliance in the defence manufacturing sector.

IAF is looking for a new transport aircraft in the 18- to 30-tonne cargo-carrying capacity to meet its growing airlift needs.