Airbus A330 wins Tanker competition

Armand2REP

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Airbus Wins India's Tanker Rebid

By VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI

NEW DELHI — Airbus has been selected as the preferred vendor over Russia's Ilyushin to supply six aerial tankers for the Indian Air Force in a $1 billion tender, according to Indian Defence Ministry officials.

After the commercial bids were opened earlier this month, the base price of the Russian Il-78 tanker was quoted as lower than that of the A330, but when factoring in maintenance and fuel costs, the Airbus was the better value, said a Defence Ministry official. The official refused to provide the exact quotes of the bids, and said the Russian government-owned company had not yet been officially informed about the decision.

Russian diplomats confirmed they had not been informed of the Airbus selection.

Boeing withdrew from the competition in 2010, leaving only the A330 and Il-78 in competition. The tender in 2010 also was sent to EADS, Lockheed Martin and Antonov of Ukraine. Antonov did not qualify, and Lockheed and Boeing did not participate.

The Indian Air Force is using six Il-78 midair refuelers bought from Uzbekistan and plans to buy 12 additional tankers, which includes the six from Airbus.

Defence Ministry sources said it is not yet decided if a fresh tender will be opened to buy the remaining six or if a repeat order will be given to the winner to the current competition.

The current tender is itself a rebid of a 2006 tender in which the A330 finished behind the Il-78 tanker, but the Indian Air Force preferred the European tanker. When the matter was sent to India's Finance Ministry, it said the lowest bidder should be the winner. The controversy led to the cancellation of the tender.

Defence Minister A.K. Antony wrote the Indian Parliament on Dec. 14, 2009, that the Finance Ministry had expressed reservations about the competition.

"The procurement proposal had been progressed in accordance with the Defence Procurement Procedure — 2006 and thereafter referred to the Ministry of Finance who has expressed certain reservations relating to the competitiveness of the bids and the reasonableness of the price," Antony wrote.

The Indian Air Force plans to deploy the tankers at Panagarh Air Base in the eastern state of West Bengal to help increase the range of its Su-30MKI fighter jets, which would enable the Indian aircraft to penetrate deeply into China, an Air Force official said.

In addition to lower fuel costs, the Airbus tanker is optimized for high-altitude cruise and fitted with advance avionics, the IAF official said.

Airbus Wins India’s Tanker Rebid | Defense News | defensenews.com
 

Armand2REP

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Follow on news...

France Announces purchase of 14 MRTT

France to buy 14 Airbus Military tanker, a subsidiary of EADS, from 2013, announced Friday the Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, during a visit to the factory in Madrid.

France has decided "to order 14 MRTT tanker aircraft from 2013," said Mr Le Drian, stating that it would not pay "all in the same year," but it was a "control cycle" which will begin next year.

"I met my counterpart Spanish partner and I came here as a customer," said the French minister on the construction site of the MRTT, after meeting with his Spanish counterpart Pedro Morenes.

Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) is a modified Airbus A330 plane from Airbus Military tanker, the military wing of Airbus (EADS) Gefafe based in the southern suburbs of Madrid and employs 4,500 people.

The A330 MRTT, which can refuel in flight two planes simultaneously, is capable of carrying both over a hundred tons of fuel, 37 tons of material and up to 270 passengers.

It has so far been ordered by four customers 28 copies: Australia, Britain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

AFP: La France achètera 14 avions ravitailleurs à Airbus Military (EADS) à partir de 2013
 

SajeevJino

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Is Really Airbus is Better than the Ilyushin..or the Govt slightly moving their military Purchase from Russia to USA...the last some contracts for some military supply are all goes to the US ...
 

sob

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The A 330 is really a very versatile aircraft.

The A330 MRTT has a maximum fuel capacity of 111,000 kg (240,000 lb) without the use of additional fuel tanks, which leaves space for the carriage of 45,000 kg (99,000 lb) of additional cargo. The A330 MRTT cabin can be modified to carry up to 380 passengers in a single class configuration, allowing a complete range of configurations from maximised troop transport to complex customisation suitable for VIP and guest missions. The A330 MRTT can also be configured to perform Medical Evacuation (Medevac) missions; up to 130 standard stretchers can be carried. ( Source: Airbus A330 MRTT - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

But the best part i like about this is the fact that this is a derivative of a civilian aircraft so spares will not be a problem. With Russian equipment this has been a sore point in the past.
 

cloud_9

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Indian Air Force Chief Outlines Modernization Plans
(12 Oct 2012)
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is poised to take important decisions on new helicopters and refueling aircraft, said Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne in a briefing to mark the service's 80th anniversary and the release of a new, unclassified doctrine document.

The IAF's choice of a new multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) should be announced "in a few weeks," said Browne. The requirement has been bid twice, with the Airbus A330 MRTT and Ilyushin Il-78 in contention. Life cycle costs, which were not a consideration in the first competition, "will be a key determinant this time, and the probability is that the A330 MRTT will score over its Russian competitor," said an official on condition of anonymity.

By the end of the year, many decisions will be made, including the start of the induction of the 10th squadron of the Su-30MKIs, said Browne. The IAF plans to raise four more Su-30MKI squadrons bringing the force to 14 squadrons, a total of 270 aircraft by 2014-15. Meanwhile, commercial negotiations are on for the 126 medium multi-role aircraft for which Rafale was declared the lowest bidder. The first squadron will be based at Ambala in the Northern state of Punjab.:shocked:

India is also close to contracting for 22 Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters that were pitted against the Mi-28. Deliveries start three years following the signing, Browne said. He also mentioned favorably the introduction of the Russian Helicopters Mil Mi-17 V5. Four squadrons are now in service, with another two to come by December. "We hope to add 50 more," he said. Sources have told AIN that this deal is expected to be signed on November 1, during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India.

India recently ordered the upgrade of 51 Mirage 2000 to 2000-5 standard with the Thales RDY-3 radar, new night vision-compatible all-digital cockpit and improved electronic warfare systems. The aircraft will also be equipped with MBDA's Mica family of medium range missiles. Having lost two Mirage 2000s in accidents, the service was looking to buy two more and have them upgraded, Browne told AIN.

But not all the news is positive. India's indigenous light combat aircraft (LCA) has been delayed further, with the initial operational clearance now not expected until next year's third quarter. "The Mark-II version of the LCA is still four to five years away. The IAF has ordered 40 of the LCA Mark-I variants on the condition that Mark-II will have a more powerful engine," said Browne. A contract has been signed for 99 GE F-414 turbofans.
 

mayfair

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Ab jhat se deal sign karo isase pehle koi aur adanga daal de

Just sign the damn deal already
 

bose

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A very good news for IAF, it is for multiple missions an added advantage to the Airforce... We need around 20 - 25 of them in a span of 10 years...
 

p2prada

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Is Really Airbus is Better than the Ilyushin..or the Govt slightly moving their military Purchase from Russia to USA...the last some contracts for some military supply are all goes to the US ...
Yes, the Airbus is better. The thing is IL-76 is no longer made and spares support is not good. The Russians have made a new transport aircraft called IL-476, this will be put into production and will have AEWC and tanker version. So, this could allow the Russians to come back into the game if a new tender is released.

Even if the IL-476 comes, the Airbus is the bigger and better aircraft.
 

Armand2REP

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Is Really Airbus is Better than the Ilyushin..or the Govt slightly moving their military Purchase from Russia to USA...the last some contracts for some military supply are all goes to the US ...
A330 is made in France and the MRTT conversion is made in Spain. How does that make it US?
 

Armand2REP

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cloud_9 said:
The IAF's choice of a new multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) should be announced "in a few weeks," said Browne. The requirement has been bid twice, with the Airbus A330 MRTT and Ilyushin Il-78 in contention. Life cycle costs, which were not a consideration in the first competition, "will be a key determinant this time, and the probability is that the A330 MRTT will score over its Russian competitor," said an official on condition of anonymity.
If Life Cycle costs are the new status-quo then Russia is going to be losing out on a bunch of new Indian contracts. They can flash a low price tag but when you operate their systems for more than 10-15 years you are paying far more over a 30 year life span. Russia has scheduled life cycle improvements on most of its engines, but as we found out with Sea Wasp, it was a fabrication. Aircraft sold with the PS-90A has been a flop with civilian versions having such small orders only in the FSU that they close production. They had to re-engine the Tu-204 with Rolls Royce to make any external sales. 117S post some impressive numbers but the engines are constantly failing either in tests or at airshows.
 

lcatejas

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Its very nice that we are moving out from Russian antique .any how Russians already shoots his own foot by creating blunder in Vikramaditya delay ..
 

arnabmit

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The decision follows a lengthy and thorough selection process including the completion of extensive flight demonstrations in India by the A330 MRTT during which the aircraft refuelled multiple types of IAF fighters and operated from the high-altitude IAF base at Leh.

Detailed negotiations will now begin which it is expected will lead to the award of a final production contract for an envisaged six aircraft in 2013.
 

anoop_mig25

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good now when is RAFALE going to be declared winner . i heard there is whisper going that tender might get cancelled .
 

cloud_9

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Airbus A-330 MRTT for the IAF
StratPost was invited to visited Airbus Military facilities at Getafe in Spain last week to get a sense of the aircraft acquisition under consideration by the IAF, after the A-330 MRTT was announced as the preferred bid in the refueler competition. Here's a look at what goes into the aircraft
 

arnabmit

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IAF prepares for A330 MRTT operations | idrw.org
SOURCE: SP Guide Publications

The Indian Air Force anticipates a contract award to Airbus Military for the A330 MRTT before the end of the financial year, top sources tell SP's. The contract for six A330 MRTT flight refuelling aircraft, fitted with Israeli hose and drogue refuelling systems (as is standard on the Il-78Ms of the IAF) will come as big relief to the IAF, which plans to deploy the new refuellers to the Eastern sector, in Panagarh, West Bengal.

Airbus Military CEO Domingo Ureña Raso said at the time, "We are fully committed to the next stage of the negotiations, and ultimately to providing the IAF with what is unquestionably the most advanced tanker/transport aircraft flying and certified today." When the MoD signs on the dotted line, India will become the fifth nation to commit to the A330 MRTT following Australia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom which have ordered a total of 28 aircraft. The IAF is also opening channels with other operators of the platform, including UAE, Australia and the UK as it prepares to welcome the new platform into its fleet.
 

SajeevJino

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Singapore buys A330 air tankers, India in talks: Airbus


Airbus Defence and Space said on Friday that it will supply six A330 MRTT refuelling jets to Singapore's air force and that India was close to ordering another half dozen.

The deal brings the total number of converted Airbus jetliners sold as tankers to 34 worldwide after Australia, Britain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates previously placed orders.

India was in the "final stages of contractual negotiations for six aircraft," the company, a subsidiary of Airbus Group NV, said in a statement.

Singapore buys A330 air tankers, India in talks: Airbus - The Economic Times
 

SajeevJino

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IAF plan to buy refuellers hit by 39-year-old probe


The Indian Air Force's (IAF) move to purchase six Airbus in-flight refuelling aircrafts has hit a roadblock after a complaint was received about a long-pending investigation against the aircraft maker.

The IAF had selected the A330 multi-role tanker transport (MTT) aircraft after competitive bidding last year but ongoing negotiations for signing the final contract have now been delayed.

Sources said the defence ministry referred the matter to the law ministry after a member of Parliament complained that a CBI probe against Airbus in connection with an old deal with Air India was pending.

Sources said the complaint pertained to a contract signed in 1975. The mid-air refueller deal joins the club of other pending high-ticket IAF contracts.

Price negotiations for the purchase of 22 Apache attack helicopters and 15 Chinook heavy lift helicopters are in the final stages but the contracts are only likely to be signed by the next government.

The IAF, which currently operates Russian-origin Il-78 refuelling aircraft, selected the A330 after extensive trials. The aircraft was found to be capable of handling the IAF's demand for refuelling a variety of fighters from Su-30 MKIs to Mirage 2000s.

It is already being used by the air forces of Australia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and the UK. Officials said the law ministry's opinion in similar cases is that business with the company can continue till its name figures in a charge-sheet.

IAF plan to buy refuellers hit by 39-year-old probe | Mail Online
 

Blackwater

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IAF plan to buy refuellers hit by 39-year-old probe


The Indian Air Force's (IAF) move to purchase six Airbus in-flight refuelling aircrafts has hit a roadblock after a complaint was received about a long-pending investigation against the aircraft maker.

The IAF had selected the A330 multi-role tanker transport (MTT) aircraft after competitive bidding last year but ongoing negotiations for signing the final contract have now been delayed.

Sources said the defence ministry referred the matter to the law ministry after a member of Parliament complained that a CBI probe against Airbus in connection with an old deal with Air India was pending.

Sources said the complaint pertained to a contract signed in 1975. The mid-air refueller deal joins the club of other pending high-ticket IAF contracts.

Price negotiations for the purchase of 22 Apache attack helicopters and 15 Chinook heavy lift helicopters are in the final stages but the contracts are only likely to be signed by the next government.

The IAF, which currently operates Russian-origin Il-78 refuelling aircraft, selected the A330 after extensive trials. The aircraft was found to be capable of handling the IAF's demand for refuelling a variety of fighters from Su-30 MKIs to Mirage 2000s.

It is already being used by the air forces of Australia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and the UK. Officials said the law ministry's opinion in similar cases is that business with the company can continue till its name figures in a charge-sheet.

IAF plan to buy refuellers hit by 39-year-old probe | Mail Online
Hahaha funny .this wat I like about India
 

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