India selects MRTT as preferred bid (again)

India has selected the A330 MRTT as the preferred bid for a six aircraft tanker deal. The deal isn't final, but Airbus expects to have the deal completed later this year. This would make India the fifth nation to choose the MRTT for tanker operations.

The only competitor was the IL-78 tanker. Both were required to refuel multiple types of aircraft, and operate out of a high altitude air base. This competition went through the same mess that the USAF did with the KC-46. Airbus was selected previously, but it was over turned by a budget committee forcing a rebid.

India has selected the Airbus Military A330 multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) as its preferred bid for a six aircraft requirement to supply the nation's air force.

Airbus Military says it expects the deal to be finalised later this year. The decision follows a flight test campaign carried out in India where the aircraft was used to refuel multiple fighter types and also performed operations from high-altitude air bases. The European type had faced competition from the Ilyushin Il-78MK, offered via Russia's Rosoboronexport arms agency.

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