 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.In February 2015, India cancelled its existing international tender on medium-lift military transport aircraft, formalising its intent to purchase the MTA.In March 2015, it was reported that international work sharing issues had slowed the MTA project's progress, though it remained underway.