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.
Bu hikaye Geopolitics dergisinin February 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Geopolitics dergisinin February 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
TIME FOR A ROBUST BMD SHIELD
With nuclear-armed Pakistan and China in the neighbourhood, India must prepare ballistic missile defences at the earliest for protecting its densely populated cities
URGENT NEED FOR SMART AND LETHAL WEAPONS
India must tread the path towards the development of a whole gamut of next-generation smart and lethal weapons for countering a two-front threat scenario, writes AMARTYA SINHA
MOBILITY SOLUTIONS FOR THE INDIAN ARMY
While the Indian Army has a significantly large fleet of trucks and utility vehicles, there is a need to further augment the capabilities by adding latest platforms with better fuel-efficiency, faster speeds, larger wheelbases and enhanced axle-load bearing capacities, argues AMARTYA SINHA
C-295 CREATING A MANUFACTURING BLUEPRINT FOR INDIA
With the right momentum, a realistic roadmap and enabling policy framework, a story is being scripted to make India a hub for global aircraft manufacturing. The potential is enormous. An in-depth report.
ENHANCING NAVAL AVIATION CAPABILITIES
A robust Indian naval air arm will prove to be the biggest sea-based conventional deterrence, both for the tactical as well and strategic level battlefields.
HAS THE WORLD FORGOTTEN THE PLIGHT OF THE AFGHAN WOMEN?
With the Taliban and command in Afghanistan, serious questions are being raised about the status of women in that country. GAYATRI SINGH dissects the situation on the ground.
HOW TANKS ARE EVOLVING TO AVOID OBSOLESCENCE
Is the dominance of tanks in modern wars coming to an end? This question is increasingly attracting attention of the military experts as the ongoing war in Ukraine and the second Nagorno-Karabakh War between Armenia and Azerbaijan not long before have witnessed the staggering numbers of tanks being destroyed and outgunned, particularly by military drones.
MISSION GAGANYAAN AFTER LOK SABHA POLLS
The Indian human spaceflight programme will be Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s biggest gift to the Indian scientific community.
TIME TO GO FOR SIXTH-GENERATION AIRCRAFT
With China racing ahead in 6th-Gen Fighter Aircraft Programme, India cannot afford to be left behind. AIR MARSHAL ANIL CHOPRA (RETD) explains
Unending War In Ukraine
Is Russia's War in Ukraine following a script or it is lost in direction? RAVI SRIVASTAVA attempts to answer
