The Indian Air Force (IAF) has decided to procure modern military transport aircraft to replace its ageing fleet of Soviet-era An-32 and Il-76 planes. The top contenders for the multi-billion-pound deal are Lockheed Martin's C-130J Super Hercules, Embraer's KC-390 aircraft, and Airbus’ A400M plane.
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), the Ministry of Defence's highest decision-making body on military procurement, recently approved a ₹2.38 lakh crore-worth proposal, which also covers the plan to acquire these military airlifters.
The IAF already operates 12 C-130J Super Hercules. But the Brazilian-made KC-390 aircraft, which is currently operated only by South Korea in Asia, is expected to give the Hercules stiff competition. The C-390 Millennium is a medium-sized, twin-engine, jet-powered military transport aircraft designed and manufactured by Embraer. The aircraft consists of more than 50 per cent US equipment and is said to be 25–30 per cent faster than the C-130J. Embraer claims its operational costs will be lower because it is a jet-powered aircraft, as opposed to the turboprop C-130J.
For those interested in a deep dive, here are five things to know about the military transport aircraft that may become part of the Indian Air Force in the years to come.
1. The aircraft has a length of 35.20 m (115 ft 5 in), a height of 11.84 m (38 ft 10 in), and a wingspan of 35.05 m (115 ft).
It can carry a maximum payload of 26 metric tonnes in concentrated form and 23 metric tonnes when distributed, with a fuel capacity of 23.9 metric tonnes (52,690 lb) in usable wing tanks. It has a maximum cruise speed of 470 KTAS (Mach 0.80) and an altitude ceiling of 40,000 ft (though often operated at 36,000 ft), with a cabin altitude of 8,000 ft at maximum ceiling. The take-off distance is 1,524 m with a 23-metric-tonne payload, the official brochure showed.
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2. Capable of offering a payload capacity of up to 26 tonnes and higher speed and range compared to other medium-sized military transport aircraft, the C-390 Millennium is capable of performing a wide range of missions. These include cargo and troop transport, airdrop operations, medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian missions. The aircraft can operate from temporary or unpaved runways and may be configured for air-to-air refuelling, both as a tanker and as a receiver.
3. The modern features of the KC-390 Millennium include a comprehensive self-protection system with detection devices such as a Radar Warning Receiver (RWR), Laser Warning System (LWS), and Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS).
These are supported by countermeasures such as a Countermeasure Dispensing System (CMDS) and Directional Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM), providing 360° coverage. It comes with ballistic protection, fully night-vision compatible interior and cockpit systems, and advanced tactical radar. It also features a Continuous Computed Drop Point (CCDP) algorithm to determine the optimal release point for cargo.
4. Embraer and the Mahindra Group had, in October 2025, inked a strategic partnership to produce the C-390 Millennium in India. In February 2026, Embraer announced plans to establish a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in India, in collaboration with Mahindra, following its selection for the IAF's Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme. The plan aims to provide comprehensive sustainment for the C-390 fleet, supporting high levels of operational readiness.
5. Apart from Brazil, KC-390 Millenniums are used by the Czech Republic, Austria, South Korea, Hungary, and Portugal. Sweden and Slovakia have selected the aircraft for future delivery.
In the first quarter of 2023, the Brazilian Air Force fleet of C-390s had accumulated more than 8,000 flight hours, participating in global missions across all continents, including Antarctica. According to the Royal Air Force of the UK, similar airlifters in this class, like the Atlas, carry significant weight, but the C-390’s jet engines allow it to complete missions faster than its turboprop rivals.