Indo-Russian multi-role transport aircraft (MTA) JV heads for trouble as Irkut backs off

In keeping with a consistent pattern over the last year or so which has seen all Indo-Russian defence projects run into delays for some reason or the other, now comes the news that Russian aerospace major, Irkut Corporation, has decided to pull out of a joint venture with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) under which a sorely needed Multi-role Transport Aircraft (MTA) would have been developed for the Indian and Russian Air Force.

A report in the Russian daily Vedomosti says that Irkut Corporation would instead focus on the MS-21 medium-haul passenger airliner, which it is developing together with Sukhoi Civilian Aircraft. Reports have also emerged that HAL is already looking for partners from Western nations to develop the project.

Under a 2002 deal, India and Russia had said that they would create a 50-50 joint venture, with a Russian consortium - Irkutsk Aviation and Industrial Association, the Ilyushin Aviation Complex and Rosoboronexport - contributing half of the $300 million development costs and HAL contributing the remainder.

Irkut-controlled Beriev and possibly Yakovlev were also due to join the programme at launch.

The MTA is meant to be a replacement for Russia's ageing inventory of Antonov An-12 and An-26/32 turboprop transports, which first entered service in the 1970s. In 2002 the combined Indian and Russian market was estimated to be at 200 aircraft.

The twin-turbofan MTA was to be designated as the Ilyushin Il-214 in Russian service. Ilyushin had apparently begun the preliminary design phase by 2003.