IAF Begins Technical Evaluation in Search for Six Mid-Air Refuellers

Indian Air Force (IAF) has entered the technical evaluation process in its quest to acquire a new fleet of mid-air refuelling planes, a strategic need outstanding since 2007, sources have told The Indian Express.

Presently, there are three to four international companies bidding to provide six refuellers to the IAF. "The technical evaluation process is under progress," a top official confirmed, which means aircraft put forth by several bidders are being thoroughly evaluated.

Six Ilyushin Il-78MKI refuelling aircraft, purchased from Uzbekistan in 2003–04, are currently with the IAF. But no more than three or four are usually available for use due to ongoing maintenance problems. These were identified in a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of 2017, which looked at the history of use of the aircraft from 2010 to 2016.

In a major decision earlier this year, the Defence Acquisition Council, headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, cleared the acquisition of six more refuelling aircraft. This is the third attempt by the IAF to buy tankers, with earlier attempts being cancelled over pricing differences.

The fresh procurement drive comes after a 2023 report in The Indian Express that the Air Force was considering buying six "pre-owned" planes which could be converted into refuellers with an estimated operational life of 25–30 years.

Complementing this strategy, the Ministry of Defence entered into a wet lease agreement in March 2025 with Metrea Management, an American private firm specializing in air-to-air refuelling. Metrea will be supplying a KC-135 flight refuelling aircraft within six months under this agreement, which will be utilized for training support to IAF and Indian Navy pilots. The IAF is wet leasing an FRA for the first time.

Whether or not all bidders offered used planes for the current contract is unclear. Yet, the plan to discuss converted older aircraft is due to the expected availability of such airframes in the world market as airlines and air forces upgrade to newer equipment.

Mid-air refuellers areforce multipliers that enhance the range and endurance of fighter aircraft. Induction of mid-air refuellers is necessary to enable them to support the IAF's long-term goals, such as enhancing its fleet of in-flight refuelling-capable fighter aircraft and its operational squadrons.

Earlier, the Ilyushin Il-78 and the Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) have both been in the running for IAF's previous tenders. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has also collaborated with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to carry out conversions of Boeing 767 commercial planes into refuelling tankers in India.

The result of the ongoing technical appraisals may finally signal a turning point in the IAF's almost two-decade-long quest to enhance its mid-air refuelling capabilities.