EADS, Russia’s UAC Compete on Delivering Six new Tankers to the Indian Air Force

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India is already operating IL-78MKI, and in the current tender the IAF was aiming to improve its current capabilities with more reliable, operationally economic platform.
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The Indian Air Force (IAF) is seeking to buy six new flying tankers to augment its existing aerial refueling capability. The two companies are competing on this tender, expected to cost around 9,000-crore (US$2 billion) include Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) and EADS. Both offers include the planes they put forward for the first tender.

U.S. aircraft maker Boeing considered its new-generation 767 model as a possible contestant, but missed the January 12 deadline to submit its bid. Boeing cited uncertainty with the U.S. Air Force’s order for 179 aerial tankers as a reason for not entering the competition for the Indian order, which is estimated at $2 billion. (read more…)

Two years ago the Indian Air Force selected the Airbus A-330 MRTT for its future tanker but failed to win support for the program from the ministry of finance. The current round is expected to increase the cost by 15-20 per cent . Photo: EADS-Airbus
India is already operating IL-78MKI, and in the current tender the IAF was aiming to improve its current capabilities with more reliable, operationally economic platform.