The Indian Air Force has taken a decisive step toward modernizing its tanker fleet by approving the acquisition of six new aircraft intended to replace the obsolete Il-78s currently in service.
The program, which had remained on hold for years, moved forward after receiving “Acceptance of Necessity” (AoN) status, a stage that authorizes the continuation of the procurement process.
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The new platform selected will be based on used civilian Boeing 767 aircraft, which will be converted to the aerial refueling configuration. The conversion will be carried out by the Israeli company Israel Aerospace Industries, with participation from India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
According to previous information, the conversion will be conducted by the Bedek Aviation Group division, with HAL ensuring up to 30 percent local production under the government’s “Make in India” program.
Currently, the Indian Air Force operates six Il-78MKI tanker aircraft, acquired from Russia in the early 2000s and in service for more than two decades. These aircraft have faced recurring operational and technical issues, affecting availability and limiting combat readiness.
Over the years, Indian military officials have reported significant difficulties in obtaining spare parts and have expressed dissatisfaction with the after-sales support for Russian-origin equipment.
The AoN status indicates that the Indian government officially recognizes the need for the project and authorizes its progression within the acquisition process. Although a contract signing date has not yet been set, sources indicate that the process could advance in the short term.
The IAI MMTT multi-mission tanker aircraft, developed based on the Boeing 767, is capable of operating with both the rigid boom refueling system and the probe-and-drogue system. This feature enhances interoperability and allows it to support virtually the entire combat aircraft fleet of the Indian Air Force.
Source and images: IAI | Wikimedia. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
