India is on the brink of finalising a contract with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to convert Boeing 767 aircraft into multi-mission air refuelling vehicles.
The aircraft in question are six in number and would be modified by IAI into MultiMission (aerial) Tanker Transport, capable of performing air refuelling missions, cargo transport, VIP, passengers and ISR systems, depending on the requirements.
Modifications made by IAI to the Boeing 767s
IAI equips the modified 767 with a special cargo door and an integrated cargo pallet. The passenger seats and consoles can be installed or quickly removed.
The aircraft has been modified into a cargo configuration based on a Supplemental Type Certificate approved for the special transport 767-300 aircraft, supported and validated by airworthiness authorities.
Military equipment and mission apparatus are installed and certified according to FAA certification specifications, which confirm the absence of interference with the original systems.
IAI’s Four-Decade-Long Experience in Transformations
IAI itself boasts over 40 years of experience in airborne refuelling (AAR) solutions, having converted dozens of modified aircraft into AAR for over 12 clients worldwide, including the Israeli Air Force, with solutions compliant with NATO standards for air refuelling operatons.
The Colombian Air Force is among the customers for this special version of the 767 modified by IAI for air refuelling.
Indian Participation and Indian Air Force’s Equipment
The contract will provide room for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) – the major Indian aeronautic and space group – to take a significant share to ensure Indian industrial presence within the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Currently, the Indian Air Force has half a dozen Soviet-made Ilyushin Il-78MKI in service; moreover, the Air Force relies on METREA, which manages air refuelling services with KC-135s, retired from service by the USAF or Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace.
So far, the contract between the Indian Ministry of Defense and Airbus Defence and Space for six A330 MRTTs has not materialised.
Photo credit @Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)
