Israel Emerges as Sole Bidder for India’s $900M Military Tanker Aircraft Deal
Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) is poised to secure a contract worth about 8,000 crore rupees ($905.7 million) to convert six commercial planes into Indian Air Force refueling aircraft.
The state-owned Israeli firm stood out as the sole qualifying bidder in a global tender that initially drew Russian and European participants, with others reportedly falling short of India’s technical and local production requirements.
If approved, IAI plans to modify six used Boeing 767 passenger planes into tankers and include about 30 percent Indian-made parts and services, a move aimed at boosting local involvement in foreign defense projects, according to local Indian media.
New Fleet
The Indian Air Force currently operates six Russian-built Ilyushin Il-78 tankers based in Agra that support both air and naval missions.
Officials say the fleet, first introduced in the 1980s, is now becoming increasingly inadequate for expanding operational needs.
Sources said that New Delhi has sought additional tankers for more than a decade but faced repeated delays over cost and technical evaluations.
Although the service recently leased refueling aircraft as a temporary solution, the new contract is expected to provide a long-term upgrade to the country’s aerial support capabilities.
Once finalized, the foreign military sale is expected to rank among the largest defense agreements between India and Israel, boosting New Delhi’s air power and regional reach while enhancing its aerial refueling capability, fighter jet range, and overall long-distance operations.
The Ilyushin Il-78 and Boeing 767
The Il-78 measures 47 meters (154 feet) long, has a wingspan of 51 meters (167 feet), and is operated by a crew of six.
It has an empty weight of 72,000 kilograms (158,733 pounds), a payload capacity of 100,000 kilograms (220,462 pounds), and a fuel transfer rate of up to 2,000 liters (528 gallons) per minute.
It is equipped with four Aviadvigatel D-30 KP turbofan engines, effective for a top speed of 460 knots (852 kilometers/529 miles per hour), a range of 3,900 nautical miles (7,223 kilometers/4,488 miles), and a service ceiling of 12,000 meters (39,370 feet).
Meanwhile, the Boeing 767, designed in five different base variants, is 61 meters (200 feet) in length, has a wingspan of 52 meters (171 feet), and requires a minimum of three personnel, including two pilots and a boom operator.
The aircraft is slightly heavier than the Ilyushin platform, having an empty weight of up to 82,377 kilograms (181,610 pounds).
It can carry up to 67,100 kilograms (147,930 pounds) of cargo and has a fuel transfer rate of over 4,000 liters (1,057 gallons) per minute, depending on configuration.
The 767 can be fitted with either Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, or General Electric engines to attain a maximum speed of 500 knots (926 kilometers/575 miles per hour), a flight range of 6,590 nautical miles (12,205 kilometers/7,584 miles), and an operational altitude of 13,100 meters (42,979 feet).
