A joint venture is being formed between state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and Russian partners United Aircraft Corporation and Rosoboronexport to co-develop and co-produce a Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA).
MTA is a 15-20 tonnes payload capacity aircraft which would meet the requirements of the Indian Air Force and the Russian Air Force. The project has been approved by the governments of India and the Russian Federation. The MTA is to have a maximum takeoff weight of 65 tonnes, a payload capacity of 15-20 tonnes, a cruise speed of 800 kmph, range of a 2,500-2,700 km and a service ceiling of 12 km. The aircraft will have two engines, state of the art features like fly-by-wire, full authority digital engine control, modern avionics and a glass cockpit.
The total development cost is estimated at $600 million (Rs 2,900 crore), to be equally shared by both sides. It is planned to manufacture 205 aircraft, with a 50:50 work share between HAL and the Russian partners. The joint venture company is being established with its headquarters at Bangalore.
