Expanding IAF's Strike Capabilities: India Weighs Offer To Buy Six Airbus 330 Mid-Air Refuellers From France

The Indian government is currently considering a French offer to sell six Airbus 330 multi-role transport tanker aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF) in a government to government deal, Hindustan Times has reported.

These mid-air refuellers will be key to extending the strike range of IAF and Indian Navy jets. The Airbus 330 is capable of simultaneously refuelling two fighter jets due to a central refuelling boom system. The multi-role aircraft can also be used to transport 260 passengers and can also serve as an air-ambulance.

The jet is equipped with powerful engines which allow the jet to operate in high-altitudes like Leh and Ladakh.

France in its deal has offered to sell six Airbus 330 jets which are around five to seven years old. These jets will come with a 30 year platform life guarantee. The quotation by the French is reportedly much cheaper than other offers present before the government.

Incidentally, the IAF has been attempting to acquire these mid-air refuelling jets for a long time but has had to shelve its attempts due to budgetary constraints.

It was earlier reported that IAF has been unsuccessfully trying to acquire a new generation flight refuelling aircraft for the past 14 years.

The matter came to the forefront when India's five brand new Rafale fighter jets underwent mid-air refuelling over the Mediterranean Sea with the help of the French Air Force Airbus A330 Multirole Tanker Transports (MRTT) aircraft.

The IAF currently has seven seven Russian IL-76 M refuellers to meet its mid-air refuelling needs.