IAF to deploy mid-air refuelling aircraft in West Bengal

[arp2041]

The Air Force is planning to deploy six mid-air refuelling tankers aircraft at Panagarh air base in West Bengal, a step that will boost the striking range of its fighter planes like Su-30 MKIs based along the China border.

IAF is expected to soon award the contract for procuring six mid-air refuelling tanker planes for which Russian-origin Ilyushin-78 and European A-330 MRTT are in the race, sources told PTI here.

At present, six mid-air refuelling planes are based in Agra to cater to the entire IAF.

With the deployment of these tanker aircraft in Panagarh, the striking range of fighter planes like Su-30 MKIs based in Tezpur and Chabua (both in Assam) will be enhanced as these can get fuel mid-air.

Mid-air refuellers are considered force-multipliers as they help in enhancing the strategic reach and the striking range of fighter jets.

Panagarh is an World War II airbase developed by the Americans to launch their aircraft into China during that period. It has been reactivated recently for use by the IAF.

The Il-78 and the European A-330 MRTT are in race for the deal to supply these six tankers deal expected to cost more than USD two billion to the IAF.

At present, the fighter jets deployed in the eastern region are being refuelled by the aircraft based in Agra but the whole exercise is a time-consuming process, the sources explained.

As part of its efforts to strengthen its defences and preparedness along the China border, India has taken several steps such as deployment of squadrons of Su-30 MKI and raising of two additional divisions of the troops there.

It is also reactivating and opening airfields in Arunachal Pradesh and other states in the northeast.

IAF to deploy mid-air refuelling aircraft in West Bengal - The Times of India

 

[COLDHEARTED AVIATOR]

Good move..Gives us more reach in the east.

 

[KRAIT]

Do it fast...that's all I want to say.........

 

[Abingdonboy]

EAC is certainly being boosted recently with MKI deployments and in the futre Super Hercs, AWACs,MMRCA and AARs. Similarly the ENC is too being boosted. Better late than never, I am surprised this is happening at the rate it is tbh.

 

[IND151]

good news

 

[Mirza Jatt]

This is a big step. ..very good news.

 

[GR!FF!N]

This time,A-330 is going to win.I heard that they reduced the previous cost of the aircraft significantly.plus,India is looking for newer platform as IL-76 platform production line will close down soon.so,we may face spare problem in the future.plus,it can transport as well.I'd love to see A-330 in Indian color..

 

[anant_s]

Smart move.
With Flankers already being posted in eastern theater, this decision should bolster IAF capability.
Now it won't be a bad ploy to station one of the AWACS also in this region.

 

[arp2041]

This time,A-330 is going to win.I heard that they reduced the previous cost of the aircraft significantly.plus,India is looking for newer platform as IL-76 platform production line will close down soon.so,we may face spare problem in the future.plus,it can transport as well.I'd love to see A-330 in Indian color..

That if true is really great, since i was criticizing MOD for re issuing the tender for mid-air refuelers, now it looks that there was some benefit of doing that, A-330 was always the choice of the IAF, the question was always of money, therefore this time MOD included life cycle cost for the refuellers, so now it looks A-330 will not only win on life cycle costs but initial costs as well over the Russian refuellers. I think IAF will order 6 more follow on refuellers after the initial 6 gets delivered, so in a decade we can have 18 refuellers in total.


+ if we compare A330 with that of IL 78, we can clearly see which is a better aircraft:

A-330 has more cruise speed, maximum speed, double the range of IL-78, more service ceiling, more take off weight, more fuel carrying capacity. A-330 needs half of the crew (3) that of IL-78 (6). So on each count A-330 is far better than IL-78's, so i guess they are worth the price.

 

[GR!FF!N]

That if true is really great, since i was criticizing MOD for re issuing the tender for mid-air refuelers, now it looks that there was some benefit of doing that, A-330 was always the choice of the IAF, the question was always of money, therefore this time MOD included life cycle cost for the refuellers, so now it looks A-330 will not only win on life cycle costs but initial costs as well over the Russian refuellers. I think IAF will order 6 more follow on refuellers after the initial 6 gets delivered, so in a decade we can have 18 refuellers in total.

an interesting report on this..

Airbus bets on MRTT life cost in Indian tanker contest | StratPost


last time IAF choose A-330 but reissued tender due to cost.as this time they are going to evaluate total life cycle cost,I'm sure they will find A-330 cheaper than Il-76.

+ if we compare A330 with that of IL 78, we can clearly see which is a better aircraft:

A-330 has more cruise speed, maximum speed, double the range of IL-78, more service ceiling, more take off weight, more fuel carrying capacity. A-330 needs half of the crew (3) that of IL-78 (6). So on each count A-330 is far better than IL-78's, so i guess they are worth the price.

 

[sancho]

EAC is certainly being boosted recently with MKI deployments and in the futre Super Hercs, AWACs,MMRCA and AARs. Similarly the ENC is too being boosted. Better late than never, I am surprised this is happening at the rate it is tbh.

More interesting than for MKIs or Hercs, is this placement wrt P8Is to extend the patrol endurence. Hope IAF has cleared all issues with FM and that they go for a fast decision, not a new tender anymore.

 

[Gessler]

Good for deep penetartion strikes into china. The Chengdu Province is a major target.
Many of china's frontline fighters are built there. Destroying those facilities will destroy
much of china's warfighting capability for years to come.

 

[chairborne ranger]

last time the a330s were almost three times the ost of an il-76...can someone fill me in on the troop carrying capabilities?

 

[IND151]

right decision

last time the a330s were almost three times the ost of an il-76...can someone fill me in on the troop carrying capabilities?

IL 76 payload> 50 tons

A333 MRTT Capacity> 380 passengers, and 8 military pallets + 1LD6 container + 1 LD3 container (lower deck cargo compartments)

 

[sancho]

last time the a330s were almost three times the ost of an il-76...can someone fill me in on the troop carrying capabilities?

The IL 78 MKI can't carry troops, because it uses the cargo hold to carry 3 x fixed fueltanks. The A330 MRTT on the other side, carries the full fuelload in the internal tanks in the fuselage and wings, that's why additional space for cargo or troops are available and the aircraft can be used for many roles at the same time.