India Advances Plan to Acquire 60 Medium Transport Aircraft for Air Force

The Defence Procurement Board has approved the acquisition of 60 medium transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force to replace aging Russian-origin An-32 and Il-76 planes. The contenders include Brazil's Embraer C-390, the American Lockheed Martin C-130, and Airbus's A-400M. Twelve aircraft will be purchased in flyaway condition, with the remaining 48 manufactured domestically under India's self-reliance policy. The final decision awaits approval from higher defence authorities.