The Indian government has formally announced the selection of the Airbus Military A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) as the Indian Air Force’s (IAF’s) new tanker aircraft.
The announcement followed a lengthy selection process which included flight demonstrations in India by an A330 MRTT during which the aircraft refuelled multiple types of IAF fighters and operated from the high-altitude IAF base at Leh. Airbus Military says “detailed negotiations will now begin which it is expected will lead to the award of a final production contract for an envisaged six aircraft in 2013.”
Airbus Military CEO Domingo Ureña Raso said: “We are grateful for the confidence shown in our company by the Government of India and the Indian Air Force, and we appreciate the detailed and fair appraisal of the competing products which they have conducted. This has been a long and tough competition and we are honoured to have been selected.”
A total of 28 A330 MRTTs have now been ordered by Australia, India, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the UK.
