SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The proposed civilian HAL/NAL Regional Transport Aircraft-90 (RTA-90) program has encountered a potential hurdle with the Indian Air Force (IAF) expressing reservations about its military utility. While the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is considering greenlighting the project to develop a commercial plane for the UDAN program connecting smaller Indian cities, the IAF remains unconvinced about its suitability for military applications.
A senior IAF officer, speaking anonymously to idrw.org, highlighted the limited utility of a military cargo variant derived from the RTA-90 design.
Converting the commercial plane into a cargo aircraft would necessitate significant design alterations, including a rear ramp door to facilitate equipment and material loading. Even with these modifications, estimates by NAL suggest the converted RTA-90’s cargo hold would have a limited capacity, potentially less than 18 tons. This places it above the IAF’s recently inducted C-295M transporters but falls short of the C-130J and the C-390M, a frontrunner in the IAF’s tender for 60 medium transport aircraft.
The IAF’s apprehension stems from a desire to avoid repeating the “Avro” situation, where a limited-role aircraft ultimately proved inefficient for military operations. The MoD is keen on fostering IAF participation in the RTA-90 program, but the IAF fears a military variant might lack versatility and end up with a narrow range of applications.
However, the IAF has not completely ruled out potential uses for the RTA-90 once operational. They remain open to exploring alternative options, such as employing it as a force multiplier or a specialized platform for Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) or Electronic Warfare (EW) missions.
The IAF’s concerns highlight the need to strike a balance between commercial viability and military applicability when developing indigenous aircraft programs. Finding a design solution that caters to both civilian and military needs could prove crucial for the RTA-90’s ultimate success.
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