Abingdonboy
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2010
- Messages
- 29,597
- Reaction score
- 46
- Country
- Location
MTA is basically dead as it stands today, it's time the GoI/IAF/MoD started working on a plan b, in fact they should have been doing so for years as the writing has been on the wall for a long time.According to recent media reports in both India and Russia, the Multi-Role Transport Aircraft (MTA) project to replace the An-32s has foundered on choice of powerplant and cost. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) and United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) signed a contract in 2012 for a twin-jet, high-wing, T-tail design. The IAF would take 45 with another 100 going to the Russian air force. UAC believes that the Aviadvigatel PS-90A turbofan is the best solution, whereas HAL wants a new powerplant that includes Fadec.
So we've been sitting on our asses, undecided since 2012, for replacement of our AN-32s.
The ugrade work performed on 40 AN-32s that were upgraded in Ukraine before the crisis with Russia halted progress, included air collision avoidance system, ground proximity warning system, satellite navigation system, distance-measuring equipment, upgraded radio altimeters and new radar with two multi-functional indicators. Engineers from Antonov were sent to the IAF depot in Kanpur to oversee work on the remaining 65 An-32s. But they left midway through the effort, even as the IAF started working with private manufacturers for indigenization of components such as nuts, bolts, washers, pipelines, rubber seals unions, joints, harnesses, filters and electronic items.
So that's where the issue stands today.
I'm glad you mentioned DRDO's work on their very own MMMA for which they have already selected the C-295 platform. If taken to its natural conclusion, this would add another 50-60 unit orders over and above the IAF's just from the IN and ICG (in the long term many more as both maritime forces expand their aviation wings). In the IN's context, they could entirely ditch their off the shelf MR-MPA procurement, go for a home made solution and focus purely on the C-295 MMMA and P-8I (along with some LR UAS).Yes surely. Beyond 56 immediately projection is around 75 meaning 19 more ... May be a follow on order will be there.
We might look for maritime role with C295s
View attachment 325183
With already AEW&C experience, the C295 with MII line and a good maritime radar, would work wonders and we won't need any other Maritime recon plane ..
And if we make say even another 50-70 more under MII in tranches to replace all ageing An32s. But that may come much later.
If C295 fails then we can try for USA based C130 XJ but that is a bit bigger surely and may be a bit more in cost. But capability wise also it will be a good force addition.
Either way if Its C295 Make in India properly then we should use this opportunity properly
It is even possible that once the C-295 MMMA is fully developed and tested that the DRDO (more specifically CABS) will look to the C-295 for a medium range AWACS platform to fullfil the IN's outstanding shore-based AWACS requirement:
This would have the addtional benefit of being from the same stable as the DRDO's AWACS (India) platform (A330) meaning that the DRDO and Airbus would already have a well established working relationship and could progress these complex intergration efforts more seamlessly.
Furthermore, the BSF and ITBP had already selected the C-295 (over the C-27J) for their own transport needs so it is more than likely that in the long term the CAPFs/MHA will add another 20-30 units to the Indian production line orders.
The C-295 could become a true multi-service platform that India desperately needs to service a plethora of roles making the TATA-Airbus venture highly succesful.
However, there is still a huge concern over the An-32's replacement and it seems to me that LM is too focused in hopeless attempts of selling the F-16 to India when a C-130XJ line in India seems like the best offer India could possibly be made at this current time and, from a strategic perspective, would really be a huge blow to the Russians.
Absolutely zero need in the Indian context.India should also look to acquire Gunship version of these AC-295 , at least 20 such gunships will do wonders in actual combat.
The IAF has rejected the F-16 Block 70 at every oppurtunity, it will never actually fly in IAF colours and they simply do not rate it as suitable for their needs.waiting for f-16 in IAF so this absolute useless fighter become avatar of many indian members here
There's no need to conflate the issue here. The CN-295W is being ordered by the IAF to meet their tactical airlift requirements and will be at the lowest end of their transport fleet. They still require strategic airlifters like the IL-76 and C-17, it makes little sense to compare the CN-295 or IL-76/C-17, they are different tools for different jobs.also waiting for cn-295 in IAF so its become potent transport (i still remember indians claim here that IAF single il-76 can carry more then all 4 PAF cn-235 )