The Indian Air Force’s long-pending medium transport aircraft programme has regained momentum, with the Defence Procurement Board clearing a ₹1 lakh crore proposal for the acquisition of 60 aircraft. The move comes amid growing concerns over the declining operational readiness of ageing platforms such as the AN-32 and IL-76, both of which have been in service for over four decades. The programme will be executed under the Buy and Make category, with 12 aircraft to be acquired in flyaway condition and 48 to be manufactured domestically. It now awaits further approvals before progressing to the tender and trial stages. Three platforms are currently in contention—the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules, Embraer KC-390 Millennium, and Airbus A400M Atlas—each representing distinct operational and industrial trade-offs. Beyond capability, the programme is also strategically significant for India’s aerospace ecosystem, with domestic manufacturing forming a core component. However, with multiple approval stages ahead, the programme’s trajectory will depend on whether it can avoid the delays that have stalled previous attempts.