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IAF to Get Aerial Refuelling & Reconnaissance Aircraft: Report

© AP Photo / Manish SwarupIndian Air Force C17 Globemaster, bottom, with fighter aircraft Su30 fly past during Republic Day parade rehearsals, in New Delhi, India, Friday, Jan. 20, 2023.
Indian Air Force C17 Globemaster, bottom, with fighter aircraft Su30 fly past during Republic Day parade rehearsals, in New Delhi, India, Friday, Jan. 20, 2023.  - Sputnik India, 1920, 07.02.2024
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For any country's air force, the ability to refuel in the air enables its aircraft to operate over longer distances. Acquiring more high-end technology makes the Indian Army one of the strongest worldwide armies.
The Defense Ministry of India is considering acquiring six new mid-air refueling aircraft for the Indian Air Force, which will cost around Rs 10,000 crore, according to media.
The ministry is also planning to bring three intelligence gathering aircraft, with the help of which sensor technologies and systems are likely to be developed in the country. Given the limited numbers in this proposal, this can also be accomplished by converting pre-owned aircraft into mid-air refueling aircraft under the ‘Buy Global’ category.
Sources said pre-owned aircraft can be acquired from the global market, but the process of converting them into tankers will require precision engineering and certification, which can be carried out in the country with the help of local partners.
The Indian Air Force is currently using Russian origin Il-78 aircraft for air refueling of its aircraft. It is also expected to move forward on a ₹6,000 crore project for three critical intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition reconnaissance platforms to map battlefields and monitor enemy movements in real time.
According to this project, DRDO as the lead agency in the country will develop the sensors and surveillance equipment of the aircraft and the aircraft will be a commercial or executive jet acquired from abroad.
Visitors walk past an Indian Brahmos anti-ship missile at the International Maritime Defence show in St.Petersburg, Russia, Thursday, July 11, 2019 - Sputnik India, 1920, 05.02.2024
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