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SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

In a bid to rekindle a long-stalled joint venture, Russia has approached India to reconsider the development of the Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA) project. This proposal comes after the Indian aerospace giant, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), had previously withdrawn from the project due to disagreements over engine specifications.

The MTA was intended to be a collaborative effort between Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation and India’s HAL, aimed at replacing India’s ageing fleet of Antonov An-32 transport aircraft. The project, initially envisioned in 2007, saw India planning to procure 45 aircraft, with Russia looking to acquire around 100. However, the venture hit a snag in 2016 when HAL decided to pull out, primarily due to differences over the selection of engines and management of the project.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is currently in the process of issuing a tender for 60 new transport planes under the MTA program, with competitors like Lockheed Martin’s C-130J, Embraer’s C-390M, and Airbus’s A400M in the fray. Recognizing the opportunity to re-enter this market, Russia has proposed revisiting the joint development. This time, they are offering to equip the aircraft with engines featuring Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC), addressing one of the main points of contention from the past.

Despite this new offer, the IAF remains steadfast in its preference for Western or European commercial engines for the Indian variant of the MTA. The rationale behind this preference is logistical; sourcing parts for Western engines is considered easier, potentially leading to higher aircraft availability rates. This stance is rooted in the experiences with previous joint projects where Russian engines, not equipped with FADEC, had led to maintenance and operational challenges.

Historically, Russia was reluctant to incorporate FADEC systems into their engines, which was a significant factor in HAL’s decision to exit the project. Now, while Russia seems willing to adapt, the IAF’s insistence on non-Russian engines poses a new set of challenges. This includes potential issues around intellectual property, technology transfer, and the integration of foreign engines into a Russian airframe design.

However, the engine issue remains a critical hurdle. If India and Russia can reach an agreement on this aspect, it could lead to a significant boost for both nations’ aerospace sectors. Conversely, if they fail to reconcile their differences over engines, India might move forward with one of the Western contenders, potentially affecting the long-standing defence collaboration with Russia.

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