page_title: Future of the Indian Air Force
section_title: Transports
hierarchical_section_title: Future of the Indian Air Force / Under development / Transports
caption_attribution_description: English: HAL Multi Role Transport aircraft
context_page_description: The Indian Air Force has been undergoing a modernization program to replace and upgrade its aging and outdated equipment since the late 90s to advanced standards. For that reason it has started procuring and developing aircraft, weapons, associated technologies, and infrastructures. Some of these programs date back to the late 80s. The primary focus of current modernization and upgrades is to replace aircraft purchased from the Soviet Union that currently form the backbone of the Air Force.
  The Indian Airforce plans to attain 45 squadrons strength by 2035 & deploy 450 fighter jets each along the Northern & Western borders with Pakistan, China & Eastern Borders with China. The IAF will also acquire large numbers of stealthy autonomous UCAVs, swarm drones and unmanned aircraft to transform into a fully advanced Network-Centric Force capable of sustained multi role operations along the entire spectrum.
context_section_description: HAL entered a joint-venture with the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) of Russia to develop the UAC/HAL Il-214 Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA) which is a medium-lift military transport aircraft. Both companies will invest US$300 million each in joint venture. The aircraft will be able to perform regular transport duties and also deploy paratroopers. The jet is expected to fly by 2014 and inducted by 2015/16. The Indian Air Force plans to acquire 45 MTAs. The aircraft will have a maximum payload of 18.5 tons, with a range of 2500 km and a speed of 870 km/h. In January 2016, it was announced that the India's HAL would no longer be involved in the project and that Russia would proceed with the project alone without Indian participation.
  The IAF had also placed an order for 15 NAL Saras light transport aircraft designed by the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL). The manufacturer has stated that the Indian Air Force intended to place an order for up to 45 aircraft. National Aeronautics Limited (NAL) has stopped all work on NAL Saras as the funding for the project stopped by end of 2013 due to cost overruns and inability to reduce weight of the aircraft.
caption: UAC/HAL Il-214 Multi Role Transport aircraft
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