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Published November 7, 2012 | By admin
SOURCE: RANESH RAJAN / KERALA FOR MY TAKE
When India first ordered 6 Il-78MKI From Russia, IAF had very small Sukhoi fleet and around 50 Mirages which were able to carry out Mid-air refuelling, but over last few years Sukhoi-30s are nearing 200 in fleet and Upgraded Mig-29SMT along with Rafales to be inducted soon with aerial refuelling probes, will only add Aircrafts which will be aerial refuelling capable but where are additional aerial refuelers?.
Il-78 and Airbus 330 MRTT are competing for the $1 billion global tender floated in 2006 by the Indian defence ministry for six refuelers. First time it was put down by finance ministry and again it seems Airbus might have won the deal , But it can be turned down again if finance ministry sticks to its earlier decisions.
Growing fleet of Aircrafts with Aerial refuelling capability and lack of additional Aerial Refuelers means Squadrons with this aircrafts needs to be rationed for Pilot training in art of aerial refuelling. Current Il-78MKI due to hectic training schedule is putting in alot of hours in air, and slow spare supply from Russia is not helping the cause.
India needs to make a decision fast on purchase of aerial refuelers to avoid backlog of pilots with limited exposure on aerial refuelling in their training. Additional Aerial refuelers will also give other aircrafts like AWACS (Phalcons and DRDO developed AWACS), C-130 and C-17 much needed range and mission objectives in war and peace.
SOURCE: RANESH RAJAN / KERALA FOR MY TAKE
When India first ordered 6 Il-78MKI From Russia, IAF had very small Sukhoi fleet and around 50 Mirages which were able to carry out Mid-air refuelling, but over last few years Sukhoi-30s are nearing 200 in fleet and Upgraded Mig-29SMT along with Rafales to be inducted soon with aerial refuelling probes, will only add Aircrafts which will be aerial refuelling capable but where are additional aerial refuelers?.
Il-78 and Airbus 330 MRTT are competing for the $1 billion global tender floated in 2006 by the Indian defence ministry for six refuelers. First time it was put down by finance ministry and again it seems Airbus might have won the deal , But it can be turned down again if finance ministry sticks to its earlier decisions.
Growing fleet of Aircrafts with Aerial refuelling capability and lack of additional Aerial Refuelers means Squadrons with this aircrafts needs to be rationed for Pilot training in art of aerial refuelling. Current Il-78MKI due to hectic training schedule is putting in alot of hours in air, and slow spare supply from Russia is not helping the cause.
India needs to make a decision fast on purchase of aerial refuelers to avoid backlog of pilots with limited exposure on aerial refuelling in their training. Additional Aerial refuelers will also give other aircrafts like AWACS (Phalcons and DRDO developed AWACS), C-130 and C-17 much needed range and mission objectives in war and peace.
