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The Defence Ministry has invited bids for 60 multirole transport aircraft.
The programme is valued at approximately ₹1 lakh crore.
The aircraft would modernise the Indian Air Force’s ageing transport fleet.
The requirement covers aircraft with cargo capacity of roughly 18 to 30 tonnes.
More context
About 20% of the fleet would arrive ready-made.
The remaining aircraft would be manufactured in India.
Domestic production is expected to exceed 60% indigenous content.
Indian companies would lead partnerships with global aircraft manufacturers.
Tata and Mahindra are proposing the C-130J and C-390, respectively.
The new fleet could support troop movement, logistics and other strategic missions.