India issues RFP for transports

A Request for Proposal for the purchase of 56 tactical transport aircraft has been issued by the Indian air force, according to UPI. The RFP includes a provision for the majority of the aircraft to be produced in India. The Deccan Herald reports the provision opens the door to major Indian companies to become involved in the manufacture of the aircraft since Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. is the only Indian aircraft manufacturer at present. Receiving the RFP were Italy's Alenia Aermacchi, which is offering its C-27J Spartan aircraft, Ilyushin of Russia, Lockheed Martin of the United States, Brazil's Embraer, EADS CASA, which is a part of Airbus of France. The report said the first 16 aircraft produced by the winner of the contract would be delivered in fly-away condition, while the remainder would be manufactured in India. Indigenous components in the Indian-manufactured aircraft would begin and 30 percent and grow to 60 percent.