UAC/HAL Il-214

Il-214
A model of the UAC/HAL Multi-role Transport Aircraft at the Aero India exhibition in 2009.
Role Military transport aircraft
Manufacturer United Aircraft Corporation
First flight 2017 (planned)[1]
Introduction 2018 (planned)[1]
Status Under development
Primary user Russian Air Force
Indian Air Force
Program cost US$600 million
Unit cost
US$35–40 million

The UAC Il-214 Multi-role Transport Aircraft (MTA) is a medium-airlift military transport aircraft which is being developed by the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) of Russia, and formerly with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) of India.[2][3] The two companies began the joint venture in 2009, when it was expected that each would be investing US$300 million in the project.[4]

The MTA was intended to replace the Indian Air Force's ageing fleet of Antonov An-32 transport aircraft. It is designed to perform regular transport duties and also to deploy paratroopers. The aircraft is expected to conduct its first flight by 2017, and to enter service by 2018.[1]

In January 2016, it was announced that the India's HAL would no longer be involved in the project and that Russia would proceed with the project alone.[5]

Design and development

In October 2009, former Indian Defence Minister A. K. Antony made an official visit to Russia, during which the two countries formally incorporated the joint venture. The governments of Russia and India agreed to produce the aircraft for their respective armed forces and for friendly third-party countries, and to develop a civilian variant of the MTA in the form of a 100-seater passenger airplane, for which Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) – owned by the Indian government – will be the lead partner and principal integrator. The Indian portion of the MTA's serial production would take place at HAL's Transport Aircraft Division in Kanpur.[6]

India and Russia finalised arrangements to support the MTA's development with a contribution of US$300.35 million. Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) and India's HAL will set up a subsidiary company to develop the aircraft. The new company, supported by US$600.7 million in funding, will begin work on developing the MTA immediately. HAL Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Ashok Nayak confirmed that India would acquire 45 aircraft and Russia 105. There would, however, be scope for exporting the aircraft, both for civil and military use, and more MTAs could be manufactured.[7] In October 2012, HAL signed a preliminary design contract with UAC, stipulating that joint design work would begin in Moscow, involving 30 Indian engineers as well as UAC's design team.[8] In February 2015, India cancelled its existing international tender on medium-lift military transport aircraft, formalising its intent to purchase the MTA.[9] In March 2015, it was reported that international work sharing issues had slowed the MTA project's progress, though it remained underway.[10]

The aircraft is expected to be powered by Russian-made Aviadvigatel PD-14M turbofan engines attached to top-mounted wings,[11] and will have a T-shaped tail. The cabin size would be similar to the Ilyushin Il-76, but will be half the length, supporting a maximum payload of 20 tonnes (44,000 lb) of military or civilian cargo. The aircraft's maximum range is expected to be 2,500 kilometres (1,600 mi), and its top speed will be around 870 km/h (540 mph).[1]

On 13 January 2016, Russian state media reported that Ilyushin had "frozen" the Russian-Indian project, and that Russia would assume full responsibility for detailed design and production of the aircraft.[5]

Specifications

A side cut view of the aircraft's cargo bay.

Data from UACRussia.ru and Ilyushin.org

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Karnozov, Vladimir (5 February 2013). "Russian-Indian Military Transport JV Debuts at Aero India". Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  2. ↑ "Tactical Transport Aircraft". Irkut Corporation. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
  3. ↑ "Russia, India may form military transport planes JV in 2-3 months". RIA Novosti. 12 February 2009. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
  4. ↑ "India, Russia enter into $600m JV to develop new aircraft". Times of India. 12 February 2009. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
  5. 1 2 Jennings, Gareth (13 January 2016). "Russia 'freezes' India out of MTA project, to proceed alone as Il-214". Jane's Defence Weekly (Surrey, UK: Jane's Information Group) 53 (10). ISSN 0265-3818.
  6. ↑ "UAC-HAL's Multirole Transport Aircraft JV To Be Incorporated Next Month". LiveFist at Blogspot.com. 30 August 2009. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
  7. ↑ "India, Russia finalize transport aircraft project". IndiaStrategic.in. September 2010. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  8. ↑ "Aircraft: Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd signs design phase contract with Russia firm". India Times. 12 October 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  9. ↑ "India chooses Multi-Role Transport Aircraft produced jointly with Russia, cancels tender". Russia Beyond The Headlines. 6 February 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  10. ↑ "Indian warplanes go missing during upgrade in Ukraine". Russia Today. 30 March 2015. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  11. ↑ "Russian aircraft designers tested yesterday's engine". Rus Business News. 16 December 2009. Retrieved 6 July 2013.

External links

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