Russia and India Plan New Multi-Role Jet Transport

India's Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd national aerospace group signed an agreement late last month with Ilyushin Aviation Complex and Irkutsk Aviation Production Organization (IAPO) in Russia, for joint design, development and co-production of a 15-20 tonne/100-seat capacity multi-role transport. With a design range of up to 6,000 km according to payload of up to 18.5 tons, and an 850 km/hr cruise speed, the new high-wing twin-turbofan MRT is aimed at both military and civil markets.

Indian interest results from requirements to replace about 100 twin-turboprop IAF Antonov An-32s. Resembling a scaled-down Il-76, with a swept-wing of about 30 meters span, the proposed MRT would be designed to operate from short and semi-prepared airstrips of about 1,500 meters length. Potential powerplants of 21-23,000-pounds-thrust include Russia's Progress D436T or the Rolls-Royce BR710. A six-year, $350 million, development period is anticipated by the two countries, leading to production deliveries in the following year.