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Indonesia puts KC-46A Pegasus, Airbus A330 in frame for aerial tanker requirement
Indonesia is studying the Boeing KC-46A, and the Airbus A330 MRTT to improve its aerial refueling capabilities. The Indonesian Air Force has begun a study to expand the service’s aerial refueling capabilities, with a view on establishing a formal acquisition program for two airframes by 2024, a TNI-AU official told Jane’s on 18 January.
The aircraft types that are being compared in this study are the A330 multirole tanker-transport (MRTT) from Airbus, and what the Indonesians allude to as a militarised version of the Boeing 767 tanker, in reference to the KC-46A Pegasus.
Issues that will be scrutinised in the study include suitability for Indonesian operational requirements, compatibility of refuelling methods with the TNI-AU’s fleet of aircraft, interoperability with existing and future assets, and life-cycle costs.
Also to be considered are possible local and foreign funding options that can be tapped upon, and potential for transfer-of-technology arrangements with local companies such as state-owned aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTD), said the TNI-AU official.
A completion of this study will then pave the way for a definition of programme parameters, and the TNI-AU is expected to launch a formal acquisition programme, and funding request from the Indonesian Ministry of Defence, in the 2020–24 timeframe.
Prior to June 2015, the TNI-AU operated a fleet of two pod-equipped KC-130Bs, which were delivered in the early 1960s. One of these aircraft crashed in Medan on 30 June of that year after developing engine troubles, and since then the TNI-AU has had to rely on a single airframe of the type for its aerial refueling needs. The sole KC-130B is currently stationed with the TNI-AU’s Aviation Squadron 32 at the Abdul Rachman Saleh airbase in Malang.
http://www.janes.com/article/77173/...s-a330-in-frame-for-aerial-tanker-requirement
By year 2020-24, I think Garuda will retire some of it's A330 having been replaced by A330 NEO. But who knows AU will get brand new A330s or KCs. But budget wise, the chances are slim.
Usually MRTT conversions ( brand new or used aircraft ) are done at Airbus or Boeing. Singapore's ST Aerospace was chosen to convert A330-200 to A330MRTT for RSAF. So far it will be the only ASEAN company to do so. ToT wise, we should do the conversion at PTDI or GMF AeroAsia.