Defence News

IAF mulls modifying used planes for aerial refuelling

With its plan to procure six additional air-to-air refueling aircraft facing headwinds over the past seven years, the IAF is exploring the option of acquiring used transport aircraft and then modifying them for refueling role.

Besides seeking the Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost of new custom built refueling aircraft, the IAF has, in a request for information issued this week, also asked prospective contractors the ROM for pre-owned “green” aircraft and modifying them as aerial tankers as well as the estimated discount due to the aircraft being pre-owned.

“Green” aircraft refers to a ready-to-fly aircraft but without any internal cabin fixtures or equipment, which can be later outfitted as per the users’ specific requirements.

Many aircraft for VIP use, for instance, are bought from aircraft manufacturers in green configuration and their cabins are styled later by contractors.

The IAF has, at present, six Russian IL-78 tankers acquired in 2003 that are four-engine aircraft also capable of being employed as conventional freighters with the fuel tanks.

However, maintenance and serviceability issues are affecting this fleet, as was revealed by the Comptroller and Auditor General in its report tabled last year.

Specifications listed for the additional tankers indicate that the IAF wants twin engine aircraft having a two-crew cockpit configuration.

The IAF’s requirement is a mid or long-range aircraft that can carry sufficient payload to refuel six to eight fighters in a single operation.

Among the aircraft that fall in this category are European Airbus 330 and American Boeing 767, both of which have military tanker variants.

The procurement process, which would include procurement of ground equipment and support facilities, is likely to commence in the third quarter of 2018. Two procurement bids in the past have gone with the wind.

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