IAF to deploy mid-air refuelling aircraft in West Bengal

[Abingdonboy]

+ the A330 MRTT will also add to the IAF's overall lift capacity, the IL-78MKI wouldn't- it is a ***** to convert it from a tanker to a regular cargo plane and then back again and the IAF has rarely done it, if ever.

 

[sancho]

+ the A330 MRTT will also add to the IAF's overall lift capacity, the IL-78MKI wouldn't- it is a ***** to convert it from a tanker to a regular cargo plane and then back again and the IAF has rarely done it, if ever.

That's because we purpusly chose the version with fixed tanks, PAF on the other side has the version where the last fuel tank is removable and the space could be used for some transport roles, but it's still not comparable to the A330 or KC767, because they carry fuel in the normal, integrated fueltanks.

 

[Contrarian]

Operating cost of the A-330 is much higher than the Il gents. There's a factor to keep in mind along with praising the A-330.

And there are countries to our west which have the record of having expensive equipment, but not enough money to have regular operational practice which is what really makes a diff in war!

 

[Abingdonboy]

Operating cost of the A-330 is much higher than the Il gents. There's a factor to keep in mind along with praising the A-330.

And there are countries to our west which have the record of having expensive equipment, but not enough money to have regular operational practice which is what really makes a diff in war!

Actually AFAIK the operating costs of the A330 are significantly less than the IL-78. The crew is almsot half, the level of automation higher, the number of engines half so requiring less maintenance etc

 

[Contrarian]

While crew levels hardly count in India, there is always excess of manpower, I had been informed otherwise! i hope you are right though.

 

[sancho]

Operating cost of the A-330 is much higher than the Il gents. There's a factor to keep in mind along with praising the A-330.

And there are countries to our west which have the record of having expensive equipment, but not enough money to have regular operational practice which is what really makes a diff in war!

How is that possible?

- 2 x engines vs 4
- civil aircraft that is sold and with spares available in high numbers vs a military aircraft, with spare parts coming from different countries and sold in lower numbers only
- dual use advantage for example at Red Flag (1 x A330MRTT to refuel and transport spares vs 1 x IL78 for refuelling + 1 x IL76 for spares) or war times (same example as above)

All clear advantages in terms of cost, not to forget that Russian aircrafts in general needs more maintenance too.

 

[Jango]

Ilyushin, and Russian aircraft in general, are a nightmare for engineers, and not recoverable or able to be salvaged.

 

[indian navy]

can any one tell is every thing on paper or ground . how much time they will take ??