DefenseIndian Air Force tanker contest advances with Boeing and Airbus in close race
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is progressing with its plan to acquire 12 new aerial refueling aircraft, and it could split the requirement between converted used jets and new-build tankers, according to The Print.
The service mulls adopt a dual-track approach, seeking six commercial airframes for conversion and six new aircraft from a global manufacturer. HAL and Israel Aerospace Industries have teamed up to convert Boeing 767s into multi-role tankers domestically.
This approach aims to balance industrial participation in India with operational needs. The converted 767s are expected to address immediate capability gaps, while the purchase of new tankers will add capacity and potentially introduce advanced systems.
Airbus has previously been the preferred supplier, but contract negotiations for the A330 MRTT fell through in earlier rounds due to cost disagreements. The Indian Air Force’s renewed process leaves both Boeing and Airbus competing for the new-build tranche.
The adoption of Boeing’s KC-46A could offer fleet commonality, simplifying both supply chain management and crew training. In contrast, the A330 MRTT presents higher acquisition and integration costs, posing challenges for Airbus.
There is still no prediction of when the program will have a winner announced. The IAF has been managing several competitions at the same time and does not usually make quick decisions.
There is also a government condition that any supplier must implement a local production line if chosen.
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Ricardo Meier
Creator of the website that started in 1996 as a magazine. He also writes on Brazilian websites AUTOO, MOTOO and MetrôCPTM.
