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The Indian Air Force (IAF) is advancing plans to significantly enhance its strategic reach by wet leasing one Airbus A330-200 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) from the French Air and Space Force.
Negotiations for the government-to-government agreement are in their final stages and are expected to conclude in the coming months, providing a crucial boost to India's mid-air refuelling capabilities.
This strategic move follows the recent induction of a leased KC-135 Stratotanker from a U.S.-based firm and highlights the IAF's urgent efforts to address operational gaps in its tanker fleet amid evolving regional security dynamics.
The IAF's current aerial refuelling force, comprising six Ilyushin Il-78 tankers acquired between 2003 and 2004, has been hampered by persistent maintenance and serviceability problems.
Reports from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) have previously highlighted that the fleet's availability has often fallen below the desired 70% benchmark.
This shortfall has placed constraints on the IAF's ability to conduct long-duration patrols and power projection missions, particularly along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and in the expansive Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
The need for a robust refuelling fleet was recently underscored during military exercises and operations which demand sustained air presence.
To address these immediate challenges, the IAF has adopted a leasing strategy as an interim measure.
The wet lease of a KC-135 tanker earlier this year provided temporary relief, extending the operational range of key fighter assets like the Su-30 MKI and Rafale jets.
The upcoming lease of the French A330 MRTT represents the next step in this strategy, introducing a more modern and versatile platform.
Designated the 'Phénix' in French service, the A330 MRTT is a state-of-the-art aircraft based on the successful Airbus A330-200 civilian airliner.
It boasts a fuel capacity of 111 tonnes, which can be delivered via both an advanced fly-by-wire refuelling boom and under-wing hose-and-drogue pods, making it compatible with a wide array of receiver aircraft.
Beyond its primary refuelling role, the aircraft offers significant transport capabilities, able to carry up to 300 troops, 45 tonnes of cargo, or be configured for medical evacuations with up to 130 stretchers.
The proposed three-year wet lease will include a French crew and maintenance support, allowing the IAF to seamlessly integrate the aircraft into its operations and evaluate its performance in Indian conditions without the immediate financial burden of a full acquisition.
The French Air and Space Force is itself modernising its tanker fleet, having recently retired its last KC-135 tankers and now operating a growing fleet of 13 Phénix MRTTs, with a goal of 15 by 2028.
This lease is widely seen as a precursor to a long-term procurement plan. The IAF has twice attempted to purchase the A330 MRTT, in 2009 and 2013, but the tenders were stalled due to high initial costs.
This lease will serve as a critical trial period, potentially paving the way for a future outright purchase of six new tankers. Such a deal could involve Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under the 'Make in India' initiative for converting civilian A330s to the MRTT standard domestically.
While the leasing model offers a cost-effective solution to a critical capability gap, it presents challenges such as reliance on foreign personnel and the need to ensure seamless interoperability with the IAF's diverse fighter fleet.
However, the move is a clear signal of the Ministry of Defence's intent to modernize the IAF's support fleet, ensuring it can meet the demands of future conflicts where long-range air power will be decisive.
