India-Russia accelerate Multi Role Transport Aircraft Project

Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation(UAC)will soon set up a technical competence center to develop critical technologies for the Indo-Russian Multi Role Transport Aircraft (MTA) project while India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has established a new company, the Multi Role Transport Aircraft Limited (MTAL), as an Indo-Russian joint venture. Speaking at the Moscow Air show (MAKS) 2011 here yesterday, UAC President Mikhail Pogosyan said the technical competence was part of UAC’s initiative to speed up technology development for new aircraft projects such as the SSJ100 and MC-21 civilian jets and the MTA tactical military transport. These projects need new materials and composites to make them light and fuel efficient. HAL, meanwhile has established the MTAL in Bangalore as a 50:50 joint venture between itself and UAC. The new company is yet to commence operations but has started recruitment of staff. Its CEO will be an Indian national. The aircraft’s designing and prototyping will happen in Russia while production will take place in India. MATL will be in charge of marketing the aircraft in the two countries as well as for export. The total project cost is estimated at US$600 million shared between the two countries. The project envisages production of a 20 tonne cargo plane for both military and civilian applications with low gross take off weight and capable of landing/take off from poorly surfaced runways. It is intended to replace the AN-32s in the Indian Air Force and equip the Russian Air Force as well. MTA would be capable of ferrying 80 troops together with infantry fighting vehicles or light tanks, artillery guns and ammunition. It will have an 800km cruising speed, similar to that of an airliner. The first aircraft are expected to roll off the assembly line by 2016-17.