IAF’s Air-to-Air Refuelling Aircraft is set for further downfall: A Report.

IAF’s Air-to-Air Refuelling Aircraft is set for further downfall: A Report....

Indian Airforce is hoping that the process to procure six flight refueler aircraft (FRA) for the third time will be successful after two previous attempts have successfully wasted 7-8 years in the process if not then further bad news awaits says Industrial sources said. 

IAF which operates Six Ilyushin’s Il-78 multi-role tanker aircrafts procured from 2003 for air to air refuelling as seen undesirable service availability of Il-78 fleet along with the poor supply of spares has severally affected India’s Strategic reach of its fighter jet fleet in the region.Ideal and desired service availability of Il-78 fleet in IAF was benchmarked at 70% but throughout its operation life it has been averaging out to 50%which simply means barely half of the plans are available for any missions at any given time.

 It is all so set for further downward spiral for 2018-2020 after Il-78 in batches will be sent to Russia for major and long overhaul further affecting India’s Strategic reach.Airbus developed A330 multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) was twice declared a winner in the previously held tender process but both the times it hit a roadblock due to cost.

 This time IAF will seek a proposal from Boeing for the supply ofKC-46 Pegasus which is cheaper than A330. IAF is also seeking a proposal from Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) which specialises in converting used Transport Boeing B707-300 aircraft into multi-mission tanker/transport (MMTT) platformsto offer cheaper alternatives to prospective buyers.