Its ability to take off and land like a helicopter yet fly like an airplane, combined with its capacity to haul more troops and equipment farther, faster and with greater survivability than existing helicopters ensures that it will be of enormous value in future actions requiring long-range, swift and stealthy projection of ground forces.
Security analysts have noted a marked shift in India's acquisitions of military hardware, from conventional land-based systems to means of power projection such as airborne refuelling systems and long-range missiles.