The Indian Air Force (IAF) has initiated the process to find a replacement for the AN-32 transport aircraft in service. It has issued a Request For Information (RFI) for the procurement of a Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) with a carrying capacity of 18 to 30 tonnes.
The RFI was issued on December 9, 2022, and the earlier bid submission date of February 3 has now been extended till March 31.
It is envisaged to commence deliveries of platform within 36 months of signing of Contract. The vendors are to provide Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost of aircraft and associated equipment among others for a batch of 40 aircraft/60 aircraft/80 aircraft, respectively, it stated.
An AN-32 aircraft of the Indian Air Force. | Photo Credit: Dinakar Peri
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has initiated the process to find a replacement for the AN-32 transport aircraft in service. It has issued a Request For Information (RFI) for the procurement of a Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) with a carrying capacity of 18 to 30 tonnes.
The RFI was issued on December 9, 2022, and the earlier bid submission date of February 3 has now been extended till March 31.
“The overall time frame of production, delivery with stage wise breakup of the entire project post conclusion of contract is required to be submitted. It is envisaged to commence deliveries of platform within 36 months of signing of Contract,” the RFI said. The vendors are to provide Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost of aircraft and associated equipment among others for a batch of 40 aircraft/60 aircraft/80 aircraft, respectively, it stated.
In the past, several IAF officials had stated that the just C-295MW, 56 of which have been just contracted, which falls in similar category as the AN-32 in terms of cargo carrying capacity would be considered as a potential replacement for the AN-32 given that a running assembly line would be available once the 56 aircraft are delivered. However, based on load carrying capacity specified in the RFI, 18 to 30 tonnes, the C-295 no longer fits the bracket as it is in the 5-10 tonnes category. Essentially, the IAF is looking to replace the AN-32s with an aircraft of higher carrying capacity, sources stated.
An earlier project to jointly co-develop and produce a MTA of 20 tonnes with Russia to replace the AN-32s was scrapped few years back after initial design discussions.
The IAF operates around 100 AN-32s which are the work horse of the force
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ ... 467760.ece