The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) entire range of combat aircraft and helicopters will soon receive an operational boost with new mid-air refuelling capability, the IAF vice chief and air marshal DC Kumaria has revealed.

Speaking at the fifth annual National Seminar on Aerospace Technologies (N-SAT.5), the chief was quoted by Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) as saying that the capability will be provided for all existing assets.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

The air marshal also added that the future aircraft acquisitions will be based on this key in-flight refuelling capability requirement, to enable the use of aircraft to cover long-range missions.

Acquiring a new aircraft with the requirement costs less when compared with expenditure spent on removing it.

Currently Mirage 2000, Sukhoi Su-30 MKI and Jaguar aircraft with the service are already built with the midair refuelling ability, while the Mig 29 will receive it as part of its modernisation programme.

Commenting on the refuelling capability, defence analyst and retired air marshal Ashok Goel was quoted by the news service as saying that acquiring a new aircraft with the requirement costs less when compared with expenditure spent on removing it.

IAF is set to acquire C-130J Super Hercules, C-17 Globemaster, Embraer 145 for electronic radars, AW 101 helicopters, Rafale fighter jets, new Airbus Military MRTT or Russian IL 78 AWACS and midair refuellers, as well as Chinook and Apache helicopters, which are currently at different procurement levels.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The new capability requirement will also be included on combat platforms existing with the army and navy, as part of a tri-service agreement to install common parameters for similar systems.

The N-SAT series, conducted by India Strategic defence magazine, focuses on developing technological advancement for the Indian armed forces.