Geopolitics analyses the new contest in the midair refueler programme which has been pending for more than 10 years amidst flip-flops.
The midair refueler programme of the Indian Air Force (IAF) is the newest interest of transport plane manufacturers in the Indian military market. The reason is a likely $2-billion business to be won if they get to supply a minimum of six midair refueler plane to the IAF. Those global transport aircraft manufacturers interested in this programme: Airbus, Ilyushin and Boeing.
This new contest has come about after India cancelled an almost-done deal with Airbus. The Spanish unit of Airbus was spearheading this campaign in India for the European major. In fact, Airbus was twice the chosen one for bagging this contract from India. But for reasons unknown till date, the contract negotiations got stuck and ultimately, called off, resulting in what's the proverbial slip between the lip and the cup, that too twice.
IAF is keen on getting the midair refueler aircraft into its fleet to enable it to extend the strategic reach for its military combat, transport and unmanned planes that can do an aerial rendezvous with the midair refueler and get refueled without having to return to base. Tankers are valuable force multipliers for air forces that operate combat aircraft for long distances.
Midair refueling almost doubles the range and endurance of fighters. Refuelling them mid-mission saves a trip back to base, and a landing and take-off. This will enable these aircraft to be airborne for longer hours and reach longer distance to deliver both intelligence and surveillance input back to the military commanders and weapons on enemy positions and strategic assets.
Airbus India leadership has been left flabbergasted by the sudden cancellation of the contract negotiation process that had been stuck for over two years. They are also in the dark on the reasons, as the communication that was sent by the Ministry of Defence was just two lines and gave no reasons.
Denne historien er fra February 2017-utgaven av Geopolitics.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra February 2017-utgaven av Geopolitics.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
THE NEW WAVE OF MARINE LANDING CRAFT.
BAE Systems' new Littoral Strike Craft combines advanced stealth, comfort, and modularity to redefine modern amphibious mission capabilities.
PROVEN AIP FOR S80 SUBMARINES
The BEST AIP system is capable of operating at any depth and in all operational conditions, allowing it to adapt to any Navy mission and making it the most advanced AIP system on the market.
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF AI SECURE, SCALABLE, AND INNOVATIVE
Tardid leverages modular AI designs, robust cybersecurity, and adaptability to deliver secure and scalable solutions, integrating emerging technologies and refining strategies through realworld deployments, shares AASTHA VERMA, Chief Operating Officer, Tardid Technologies, with Geopolitics
TOT-AN IMPERATIVE FOR SUBMARINE MANUFACTURING
India's transition from offset strategies to fostering self-reliance through technology transfer (TOT) and local assembly highlights the significance of global collaborations like thyssenkrupp Marine Systems in shaping a robust, indigenised defence ecosystem, a perspective shared by KHALIL RAHMAN, CEO, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems India.
ENHANCING INDIAN NAVAL AVIATION
JYOTI SINGH reports how a powerful Indian naval air arm will prove to be the biggest seabased conventional level deterrence, both for the tactical and strategic battlefields
PROJECT-751-30 YEARS ON
India's ambitious Project-751, aimed at procuring six advanced submarines, remains stalled nearly three decades after its inception.
WINGS OVER THE OCEAN
Indian Naval Aviation is dramatically upgrading its combat potency with its latest inductions, writes Atul Chandra
HOW INDIA IS RESHAPING REGIONAL DETERRENCE, MARITIME DOMINANCE
In the theatre of modern geopolitics, control over the seas is synonymous with strategic dominance. With its vast coastline and critical position in the Indo-Pacific, India has always recognised the importance of maritime strength, outlines GIRISH LINGANNA
BUILDERS NAVY
The Indian Navy's modernisation efforts are picking up steam, with domestic shipyards running at full capacity, reports MIKE RAJKUMAR
THE NAVY'S NEED FOR SUBMARINES
While aircraft carriers have their place, submarines provide India with a more flexible, cost-effective, and survivable option for projecting power and maintaining deterrence in a complex and evolving strategic environment, argues AMIT GUPTA
