Since 2006, India has repeatedly ‘selected’ the Airbus A330 MRTT as its desired new tanker but, for various reasons, orders have never been finalized.

Now approval has been granted to a plan that will see 6 second-hand B767 airframes sourced from the global market and converted by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). Indian industry is being involved in the project to sweeten this sole-bidder solution: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited will be involved in the conversion of the airframes and will fit locally manufactures refuelling modules.

It is stipulated that the airframes to be used must be less than 10 years old. They will all undergo a complete overhaul to “zero” their service life in order to serve in the IAF for “at least” 30 years.

30% of the value will be made up by indigenous content, mainly internal fuel structures plus communication suites. IAI and HAL will jointly establish a local Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) centre. The program is expected to cost around $900 million. At present, India only operates 6 Il-78MKI tanker aircraft procured over 20 years ago.  

IAI has considerable experience in the conversion of various aircraft into tankers, having worked over the years on C-97, IL-78, B-707, and C-130H platforms. The B-767 MMTT (Multi-Mission Tanker Transport) is their most advanced and modern offering. IAI delivered one converted B-767 to Colombia in 2010.  

IAI can convert the airframe to a 2-point tanker, installing only the drogue pods under the wings, or a 3-point tanker either with Boom or a third, centreline drogue. While India now operates P-8I maritime patrol aircraft that would be able to refuel in flight if the tanker came with a boom, it’s more likely that the B767 will come with 2 or 3 drogues.

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