PAF wont have a2a refulers anytime soona major reson for the switch is also partitay sinces both the PLAAF(has) and the PAF(will have) the Midas we have fealt the need for the airbus
russian junk well these russian fighters will be the one which your airforce will fear when they see su amd migs in the skiesInteresting. India has finally decided to move to the West and away from Russian junk.
But India, still smarting about the armaments being sold to Pakistan by the United States, has turned to Europe in a diplomatic coup.
And here is that MRTT330 we are talking about
FinMin opposes IAF choice for refuelling aircraft
The Indian Air Force’s plan to acquire six new refuelling aircraft to give its fighters extended reach has hit a roadblock with the Finance Ministry questioning the selection of the European Airbus 330 MRTT aircraft that costs almost twice as much as its Russian built competitor.
While two aircraft—the Airbus 330 MRTT and the Russian IL 78—had taken part in the global tender taken out in 2006 to provide six refuellers, the Air Force had recently selected the European platform after technical trials. This, despite the fact that India already has a fleet of six IL 78 tankers ordered from Uzbekistan in 2002.
However, the Finance Ministry is said to have objected to the selection as the Airbus 330 MRTT deal would cost upwards of Rs 8,000 crore against the estimated budget of Rs 5,000 crore set by the Defence Ministry. On the other hand, the fleet of Russian built IL-78 would cost only Rs 4,800 crore.
The Finance Ministry has pointed out that India already has a fleet of the IL 78 refuellers, making it easier to induct a larger number of the aircraft. Financial advisers have also pointed out that the IL-78 fleet currently in service with the Air Force is relatively new as the last aircraft was inducted as late as 2004. This, analysts say, rules out the argument that a modernised platform is needed by the Air Force.
The Air Force, on the other hand, is fed up of constant delays in spare parts as well as quality issues with Russian built aircraft. The Russian aircraft, officers say, also did not meet all requirements set in the tender. Senior officials have pointed out that not only does the Airbus aircraft have a larger range but also the ability to carry extra fuel along with a passenger or cargo load.
While the IAF is very keen on acquiring refueling aircraft at the earliest given the threat environment and the need to deploy fighters on extended missions, the Finance Ministry’s objection is likely to delay the final signing of the contract.
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Praveen's comment
IAF should with IL-78 it will be easy for maintance & low cost compare to Airbus 330 MRTT
Really? I just read the FinMin is likely to cancel Airbus for cost overuns. Wouldn't that be funny if and when they do?Interesting. India has finally decided to move to the West and away from Russian junk.
But India, still smarting about the armaments being sold to Pakistan by the United States, has turned to Europe in a diplomatic coup.
And here is that MRTT330 we are talking about
Ilyushin is now a part of JSC and they aren't going to play the hog spare parts game anymore. Policy set last year is to provide any large regional orders with service and parts centres. HAL is getting a service centre for all of Su-30 orders in the region including servicing Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesian Flankers. We are bringing future business to India in after sale service. Indians who gripe and complain don't realise the lengths to which we are bending to make them happy.yeah we need low cost + hightech , we cant or should not afford more money on such costly platforms, but i'm not against modernizing the fleet, atpresent people are starving, like this Cheap and best options can only be accepted,
as off range of airbus MRTT330 , we dont have any longrange threats as of now are in near future,
as off spares problem Russia promised to built local supply plants for big fleets,
Sukhoi has already started it. Mig is ready to build a plant in India too, if we have this deal too,may be in future Illusion may too.
Really?? This is from RedFlag last yearin red flag excercise anyway IAF had to send 1 IL76 and 1il 78 . even if they had airbus a2a refullers , they would send two of them because the crew which was in the excercise was large they needed extra transport aircraft
IAF already operates a whole regiment of IL-76, PHALCONs, and IL-78 tankers. There are plenty frames there to make it worth it to place a service centre. India would also become a hub for the region for all regional IL-76 modification and servicing. Iran has a couple dozen as well as Uzbekistan and four in Kyrgyzstan. That right there would make India a major hub, if you get China on the deal you would have a market for almost 100 planes.Its not to say that Midas tankers are junk but at the end of the day the Russians need to come out an overall lifetime cost.......Initial costs in Russian equipment is always going to be be cheaper the life time costs might add............how they compare to the airbus, we could only speculate but the final decision will be made the babus sitting in Delhi based on the geopolitical diplomacy balancing act.............Could the Airbus MRTT be serviced in India locally without setting up a dedicated facility (many airlines fly the A330 in India)
do even know another aircraft was there for spare parts and support crew for sukhoisReally?? This is from RedFlag last year
I debunked this myth of yours, then you said something like...in red flag excercise anyway IAF had to send 1 IL76 and 1 il 78 .
do even know another aircraft was there for spare parts and support crew for sukhois
whats your point ?First you said,
I debunked this myth of yours, then you said something like...
good point there . you nailed it , paying upwards of 8000 cores for six a2a refullers is nuts no matter what the aircraft can do . So what airbus can offer transport option but 8000 crores is too much to pay . anyway i have my doubts that finmin will pay for those aircraft . no matter what IAF says . Il 76 are doing a good job non the less , wondering why did not IAF buy airbus in the first place and why now . comon aircraft reduces the cost of flying as well as trainingIn wake of the tanker controversy just one question:- Do we plan to operate our tankers in multi mission mode. Like refuelling other fighters and at the same time droppping in supplies/troops at the same time. Aren't these essentially two different profiles? Dropping supplies and troops would say take place in forward areas/posts and refuelling given our geographical situation and the range our aircrafts should ideally be some distance inlands from the borders where all the action takes place(just for safety!). Transferrable fuel carring capacity of both the aircrafts is probably in the same league however the ferry range of il-78 is ~7000 and airbus ~14000 but do require the greater range by paying twice(!). Guys buying two dedicated IL( one refueller and other transporter) aircrafts for the price of one airbus makes more logical to me atleast! YOUR opinion guys.
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