Sources stated the proposal to accumulate six mid-air refuellers may see some ahead motion. Being processed below the ‘Purchase International’ class given the restricted numbers wanted, the proposal may see pre-owned plane being transformed into mid-air refuellers.
IAF is trying to exchange its IL 78 refuellers of Russian origin and is contemplating choices supplied by Airbus and Boeing. Given the restricted international availability of such plane, an choice to buy used civil airliners and get them transformed into multi function tankers is being explored.Sources stated whereas pre-owned plane may be acquired from the worldwide market, the method of changing them to tankers, which requires exact engineering and certification, might be achieved with native companions.
Ahead motion can be anticipated on a ₹6,000-cr challenge for 3 airborne intelligence, surveillance, goal acquisition and reconnaissance platforms important to map out battlefields and monitor enemy actions in actual time. Below the challenge, the sensors and monitoring tools will likely be indigenously developed with the DRDO because the lead company and the plane will likely be a industrial/govt jet acquired from overseas.
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