IAF close to buying A-330 MRTT

[Contrarian]

Weapons of choice
Sandeep Unnithan


Delhi: Russia’s near-monopoly over the Indian arms market seems to be coming to an end, thanks to the armed forces policy of placing a premium on performance and not cost.

Soon after Boeing’s $1.8-billion contract for eight P-8I Poseidon long-range naval maritime patrol aircraft—costlier than rival Airbus—the IAF is set to acquire six Airbus tankers.

Senior Defence Ministry officials confirmed that a 1-billion euro contract for six Airbus A-330 multi-role tanker-transports is close to being finalised. This despite the makers of the Russian IL-78 tanker, six of which the IAF has in service, offering a lower bid.

The IAF chose Airbus for its larger fuel load and its dual transport capability. This decision has a bearing on the world’s largest defence contract—the IAF’s acquisition of 126 medium-range fighter aircraft worth over $10 billion where Russia’s MiG-35 is a low-cost option.

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[Gabbar]

That's good news. We should never put our all egs in the same basket, even if they our friends. Only if we can start moving fast on improving our sodliers equipment such as weapons, night vision, uniforms and helmets. They kind of look outdated.

 

[indiatech]

That's good news. We should never put our all egs in the same basket, even if they our friends. Only if we can start moving fast on improving our sodliers equipment such as weapons, night vision, uniforms and helmets. They kind of look outdated.

F-INSAS on on the way.

http://www.defence.pk/forums/india-defence/23630-phase-i-f-insas-ready-induction-2011-a.html

 

[Gabbar]

AERO INDIA: Airbus releases Indian A330 MRTT images

Airbus Military has released images of its A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) in Indian Air Force colours as the contest to supply the country with six additional tankers approaches a conclusion.

EADS subsidiary Airbus and Russia's United Aircraft (UAC) responded to a tanker request for proposals (RFP) in 2007 and industry sources say a selection is expected by the end of this year. UAC is offering a more advanced version of the Ilyushin Il-78 tanker, of which India already operates 12.

Boeing was not immediately available to comment on whether it is offering its KC-767 to meet the requirement.

The RFP calls for deliveries of the new tankers to begin three years after contract signature.

Airbus Military head of product marketing for Airbus derivatives, Roy Sanders, says at the Aero India airshow in Bangalore that India has been offered the A330-200-based MRTT in a similar, three-hose configuration to that being acquired by the UK as part of its FSTA programme.

Sanders adds that he expects India, like the UK, to utilise the aircraft as cargo transports, as well as for air-to-air refuelling.

India is expected to require a large number of additional tankers when it begins taking delivery of 126 fighters as part of its medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) programme.