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The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to significantly upgrade its pilot training for mid-air refuelling operations by inducting its first-ever wet-leased tanker aircraft.
A contract was signed on March 28, 2025, with the U.S.-based company Metrea for a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, which is scheduled to begin operations in India by October 2025. This landmark agreement will provide crucial training for both Air Force and Indian Navy pilots.
Under a "wet lease" agreement, the contractor provides the aircraft, flight crew, maintenance, and insurance, allowing the armed forces to focus solely on their operational training objectives.
This strategic move comes as a solution to persistent operational challenges faced by India's current fleet of aerial refuellers, offering a flexible and cost-effective way to boost mission preparedness.
The IAF's existing fleet of six Soviet-era Ilyushin Il-78MKI tankers, which entered service in 2003, has been plagued by low serviceability rates and maintenance issues.
The availability of these aircraft has frequently fallen below the 50% mark, well short of the IAF's target of 70% readiness. These problems, including unreliable refuelling pods and insufficient support from the original manufacturer, have limited the IAF's capacity to extend the operational range of its fighter jets.
This capability is vital for long-duration patrols and force projection, particularly along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan.
For years, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has attempted to procure new, modern tankers, with the Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) being a leading contender. However, these acquisition efforts have been repeatedly stalled due to procedural hurdles and high costs.
The decision to wet-lease the KC-135 Stratotanker, a time-tested and reliable platform with a distinguished service record spanning over six decades with the U.S. Air Force, represents a pragmatic interim measure to bridge this critical capability gap.
The leased KC-135 Stratotanker will be stationed at Air Force Station Agra.
The aircraft is highly compatible with India's needs, as it can be equipped with both a flying boom system and Multi-Point Refueling System (MPRS) pods for the probe-and-drogue method, which is used by all fighter aircraft in the Indian Air Force and Navy’s inventory, including the Rafale, Su-30 MKI, and MiG-29K.
The turnkey arrangement with Metrea ensures that Indian pilots can maximize their training on this critical force multiplier without the IAF being burdened with the aircraft's operational logistics.
The contract has been awarded to Metrea, a company with extensive global experience in aerial refuelling.
It operates the world's largest commercial fleet of tanker aircraft, has supported the U.S. Navy and allied forces for over 130,000 flight hours, and recently expanded its fleet by acquiring 14 tankers from the French Air Force.
The company's ability to have the aircraft operational in India within six months of the contract signing underscores its capacity for rapid deployment and support.
Looking ahead, this wet-leasing experience is expected to provide valuable insights for India's long-term aerial refuelling strategy.
he lessons learned will inform future decisions, which could include the outright acquisition of new tankers or the development of an indigenous platform, possibly by converting civilian aircraft for military use.
This arrangement also signifies a growing trend in the global defence sector of leveraging private industry expertise to meet urgent operational needs while permanent procurement plans are finalised.
