Exclusive! An-32s replacement -is it in the air?
Neelam Mathews July 2, 2012 A requirement for a military transport to replace 56 HS .748 twin turboprops operated by the Indian Air Force ( IAF ) has raised procedural problems for potential bidders following the release for a Request for Information last December inviting OEMs to bid only if they could find private Indian partners (Aerospace Diary June 15). Candidate Indian companies are reluctant to commit to the project as the few Indian manufacturers capable of involvement say they need a commitment for at least 200 aircraft from the Ministry of Defense. “We need a business case before we invest money in the project," they say. Aerospace Diary learns as the life of the 104 An-32s in the force runs out in 2024-25, the government could well be looking at adding those to the 56 it plans for the RFP once it is released. "This will solve the problem of the minimum numbers the private industry needs a commitment for, which is totally relevant given that the...