NEW DELHI, Aug. 13 -- The defence ministry on Wednesday issued a tender worth around Rs.1 lakh crore to buy up to 60 medium transport aircraft (MTA) to boost the Indian Air Force's (IAF) airlift capabilities, officials aware of the development said.

The tender has been issued to five Indian companies, including Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), Mahindra Group, Adani Defence & Aerospace, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Reliance Defence, the officials said, asking not to be named. The IAF, the world's fourth largest, is looking for a new transport aircraft with an 18- to 30-tonne cargo carrying capacity to meet its growing airlift needs.

TASL has tied up with US firm Lockheed Martin, which has offered its C-130J Super Hercules aircr...