Indian Air Force News and Discussions ll
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SiliconBit (silicon0000)
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onlinpunit
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Rafale with : MICA, Meteor and Hammer with G4 Litening Pod
Hussain
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India’s on-again, off-again aerial tanker saga edges closer to an end
Jan 26, 2026
The Indian Air Force is currently on its fifth attempt to obtain air-to-air refueling aircraft, but it is now closer than ever to procuring these desperately needed force-multiplying assets.
The Defence Acquisition Council cleared a potential acquisition of six second-hand Boeing 767 commercial aircraft that will be converted into tankers by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
This step is called acceptance of necessity, and the deal is expected to be worth around $1 billion. A cost negotiation committee was established on Jan. 1 to finalize the price.
Once the price tag has been negotiated, the deal will be handed to the Cabinet Committee on Security for final approval before contract signing. According to some reports, this could occur as soon as March, with delivery of the first tanker sought from 2030.
IAI will manufacture the refueling modules in India, and India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is set to receive some work as well as part of IAI’s offset requirements.
Instead of buying a top-draw tanker like the Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), the IAF has pragmatically concluded that converting older aircraft is more cost-effective.
If everything goes according to plan, this choice will end India’s nearly 20-year search for additional aerial tankers.
In this long-running saga, the IAF first issued a request for proposals for six tankers in 2006, in which the A330 MRTT was shortlisted, before the effort was cancelled in 2010. The same selection-cancellation process occurred when tenders were floated in 2010 and 2018.
In the meantime, the Indian Air Force’s tanker fleet comprising six Ilyushin Il-78MKI aircraft acquired from Uzbekistan in 2003-2004, is running on fumes. A decade ago, the serviceability rate of the Il-78MKI was at just 49% due to parts shortages.
Last year, the Indian Air Force decided to lease a single Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker from Metrea to fill gaps. However, flown by American crews, these aircraft would not be available during a time of conflict when they are most needed.
Aerial tankers are vital for extending the reach of Indian fighter jets, such as for overseas deployments, as well as giving them longer legs over home territory.
India’s air service is also struggling to induct the fighter jets that it needs. It currently possesses just 29 squadrons instead of the 42.5 it is authorized to have.
The IAI Multi-Mission Tanker Transport being eyed by India is already operated by Colombia, which received one unit in 2010.
CallSignMaverick
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Sam6536
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Russia, India holding technical discussions to explore possibility of joint production of Su-57: Official
India and Russia are in advanced talks for joint production of the Sukhoi Su-57E fighter jet. Discussions also cover licensed manufacturing of the Su-57 in India. An agreement is in place for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to assist in producing Superjet-100 regional jets. This collaboration aims...
India and Russia are holding technical discussions to explore the possibility of the joint production of the 5th-generation Sukhoi Su-57E fighter jet in India, a top Russian aerospace official claimed on Wednesday.
There was no response from the Indian side on his claim.
"Today, we are in the advanced stage of technical negotiations on this contract. Such contracts, given our experience, determine the trajectory of our cooperation for several decades to come," CEO of Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) Vadim Badekha told Russian reporters on the sidelines of the Wings India air show at Begumpet airport in Hyderabad.
Russia has put on static display its latest regional transport aircraft - the Ilyushin Il-114-300 and the Sukhoi SJ-100.
Badekha claimed that the parties are also discussing "the licensed production of the Su-57 fighters in India at the facilities currently used to produce the Su-30 aircraft, and the maximum use of Indian industry and Indian systems in this aircraft."
"Therefore, the contract requires extensive, in-depth study. It is currently in the advanced stage of technical consultations," Badekha was quoted as saying by the state-run TASS news agency.
CallSignMaverick
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onlinpunit
Trusted Member
It seems we may get a few Sqd of Su 57 !
CallSignMaverick
Registered Member
Obviously. I'm all in favour of ditching Rafale assembly and going for Su-57 since AMCA isn't getting inducted before 2038-40. They ultimately will be buying these, as a heavy weight replacement for Su-30 MKI and to fill the "5th gen" gap.
Hussain
Trusted Member
The Russians were offering "Made In India", so the idea might be to get their hands on whatever tech they can.
SiliconBit (silicon0000)
Trusted Member
Russia, India holding technical discussions to explore possibility of joint production of Su-57: Official
India and Russia are in advanced talks for joint production of the Sukhoi Su-57E fighter jet. Discussions also cover licensed manufacturing of the Su-57 in India. An agreement is in place for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to assist in producing Superjet-100 regional jets. This collaboration aims...m.economictimes.com
India and Russia are holding technical discussions to explore the possibility of the joint production of the 5th-generation Sukhoi Su-57E fighter jet in India, a top Russian aerospace official claimed on Wednesday.
There was no response from the Indian side on his claim.
"Today, we are in the advanced stage of technical negotiations on this contract. Such contracts, given our experience, determine the trajectory of our cooperation for several decades to come," CEO of Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) Vadim Badekha told Russian reporters on the sidelines of the Wings India air show at Begumpet airport in Hyderabad.
Russia has put on static display its latest regional transport aircraft - the Ilyushin Il-114-300 and the Sukhoi SJ-100.
Badekha claimed that the parties are also discussing "the licensed production of the Su-57 fighters in India at the facilities currently used to produce the Su-30 aircraft, and the maximum use of Indian industry and Indian systems in this aircraft."
"Therefore, the contract requires extensive, in-depth study. It is currently in the advanced stage of technical consultations," Badekha was quoted as saying by the state-run TASS news agency.
If I think from Indian perspective, Probably this is the best for India. In reality, Other than Rafale and SU57, Rest all (including Tejas) are waste of time for India. India could skip wasting money and time through this.
hasssanali8998
Elite Member
especially if they are getting TOT/MKI ..
SiliconBit (silicon0000)
Trusted Member
Even if it’s not true TOT or MKI, at the very least, they will get something good. Right now they are not getting anything. Only retiring.
onlinpunit
Trusted Member
Rafale has its own importance.
Heavy : SU 30 MKI+ AMCA/ SU 57
Mid : Rafael to replace/supplement Mig 29 and Mirage .
Light : Tejas MK1A + MK2
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