View Full Version : India Looks to Lease Tankers
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indian-air-force-may-lease-aerial-refuelling-tanker-craft/story-8RzD9OwZs7M0Hc9wM5KzJP.html
Indian Air Force may lease aerial refuelling tanker craft
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is considering, for the first time, leasing aerial refuelling tanker aircraft to extend the reach of its fighter jets instead of a direct purchase against the backdrop of previous failed attempts to buy new tankers, two officers familiar with the move said on Sunday on condition of anonymity.
The doors to leasing military hardware were opened for the first time last week with the government unveiling a draft policy on arms acquisition that allows the armed forces to go in for leased capability to cut down on costs associated with purchasing weapons and systems.
“The IAF has made two attempts to buy tankers during the last decade-and-a-half. On both occasions, we were close to signing the deal but things fell through because of the high acquisition cost. Leasing is a good option to fill the capability gap,” said one of the officers cited above.....
”We are finalising the requirements for the proposed lease of tankers to boost our in-flight refuelling capabilities. We are looking at aspects such as whether we should opt for a wet [the lessor provides crew and maintenance] or dry lease. Leasing will be a better option as our budget is under pressure,” said a second officer.......
American (Boeing KC-46A), Russian (Il-78) and European (A330 MRTT) military contractors were expecting the IAF to float a global tender for more tankers. Israel Aerospace Industries’ Bedek Aviation Group was also looking at participating in the contest with its Boeing 767-200 multi-mission tanker transport—a conversion of the Boeing aircraft by Bedek Aviation.
Asturias56
25th Mar 2020, 08:19
So that will only take 5 years to action cp the usual never-ending procurement saga :cool:
Eric Janson
25th Mar 2020, 09:53
In these countries it has nothing to do with the end result.
It's all about the side deals (Commissions/Employment for family members/Consultancy fees).
They always go for new products from the factory - that's a dead giveaway there's a corrupt deal taking place.
They always pay full list price on paper - the difference between the list price and actual price paid is funnelled back to various Politicians brokering these deals.
Imagegear
25th Mar 2020, 10:56
They always pay full list price on paper - the difference between the list price and actual price paid is funnelled back to various Politicians brokering these deals.
Ohh so true, try getting anything of value through customs without the requisite "documentation". It would not be sporting, not to try eh?
IG
Misformonkey
25th Mar 2020, 21:53
That'll be some interesting T & C's.... Though shalt not.....
Imagegear
26th Mar 2020, 07:56
T & C's ? - There's them that's written and them that's not. Best one UNDERSTAND's both.
IG
France propose selling 6 second-hand A330s converted to MRTTs to India ? Alert 5 (http://alert5.com/2020/12/08/france-propose-selling-6-second-hand-a330s-converted-to-mrtts-to-india/)
France propose selling 6 second-hand A330s converted to MRTTs to India
France has propose selling six MRTT aerial tankers to India in a government-to-government deal that invovles converting second-hand A330 airliners.These former passenger airplanes are between five to seven years in age and France will certify them for 30 years of lifespan.
Another alternative proposal being considered by the Indian Air Force was to wet-lease the tankers from a British company.
For more information, hit the Source below
Source (https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/french-mid-air-refuellers-could-boost-air-force/story-lbpLOIjx1El8VlYwu7o55N.html)
BEagle
8th Dec 2020, 14:05
Conversion of ex-airline A330 aircraft to MRTT standard (or MRTT 'lite' much as Elbeflugzeugwerke converted the A310 for the Luftwaffe and RCAF) was something I suggested many years ago. Airbus, however, were convinced that only new-build A330MRTT would be viable.....
The Luftwaffe have stopped using their 4 x A310MRTT in the AAR role, so if India is looking for a quick 'pods-only' AAR option, they could perhaps become available.
N707ZS
9th Dec 2020, 10:33
Air Tanker has a few spare at the moment. With Jet 2 and the likes not wanting them.
And back to leasing rather than buying. I wonder if the French will still be interested?
India to lease aerial refueling tankers for training ? Alert 5 (http://alert5.com/2021/04/11/india-to-lease-aerial-refueling-tankers-for-training/#more-88073)
IAF to adopt new process to lease refuelling aircraft
The Indian Air Force (IAF), which is looking to lease mid-air refuelling aircraft, will adopt a new methodology for the process based on the number of hours of availability per year as criteria, a senior defence official said.
“The leasing will be based on hours of availability per year indicating the minimum and maximum hours required,” the official said. “We will use the leased tankers for training purposes and keep the existing IL-78s in service for operational purposes,” the official stated.
On the number of refuellers that would be leased, the official said it would be decided based on the responses the IAF receives.
The IAF presently has six Russian IL-78 tankers and is looking at leasing a few tanker aircraft to meet immediate requirements as the deal for procuring six new tankers has repeatedly failed to fructify.
The IAF is also looking to lease Basic Trainer Aircraft (BTA) to fill the immediate shortage for training rookie pilots.
With the follow-on contract for Pilatus trainers now scrapped, the leased aircraft would plug the gaps in training till the indigenous HTT-40 being developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is inducted. A Request for Information was recently issued for leasing of BTA....
The Navy too is considering leasing several platforms like utility helicopters, used minesweepers and tankers among others. The Army is looking to lease four Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) from Israel which is in advanced stages of conclusion.
The option for leasing of military equipment was introduced in the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020. The three services have since listed several platforms for leasing to cater for immediate shortages.
BEagle
11th Apr 2021, 11:50
The IAF presently has six Russian IL-78 tankers and is looking at leasing a few tanker aircraft to meet immediate requirements as the deal for procuring six new tankers has repeatedly failed to fructify.
What a surprise....not! India has been 'expressing interest' in Airbus tankers ever since the Lufthansa's 2009 deployment of Eurofighters from the Baltic to India supported by an A310MRTT. Ever since then they've blown hot and cold over buying the AAR assets they need; if they think they're going to lease tankers at low cost, they're going to be in for a rude awakening as contractual terms will take a long time to be agreed!
Asturias56
11th Apr 2021, 16:59
India has the most dysfunctional system for buying kit in the world - and people have wised up and just email the brochures these days