India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved, on December 29, the allocation of 9,000 crore rupees — approximately US$ 1 billion — for the acquisition of six Boeing 767 MMTT (Multi Mission Tanker Transport) aircraft for the Indian Air Force.
According to information published by the Indian Defence News portal, the aircraft will be supplied by the Israeli company Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), in partnership with India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The project предусматри the conversion of used Boeing 767 aircraft acquired on the civilian market into military aerial refueling and multi-mission transport platforms.
In line with the requirements set by India’s Ministry of Defence, at least 30 percent local industrial participation must be ensured in the program, with HAL leading the contribution of Indian companies. The aircraft conversions will be carried out by IAI, which has proven experience in this type of modification.
So far, the Boeing 767 MMTT has only one operator worldwide: the Colombian Air Force, which has operated a single example since 2010, known as Jupiter and registered as FAC-1202. This aircraft was converted by IAI from a Boeing 767-200ER and serves as the operational reference for the model.
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India’s program to acquire new tanker aircraft has been ongoing since 2006, with several procurement processes conducted over the years. On multiple occasions, the Indian government selected the Airbus A330 MRTT, but the choice was repeatedly rejected due to its high acquisition cost — estimated at no less than US$ 2 billion for six new aircraft.
The decision to opt for the Boeing 767 MMTT converted from used airframes therefore represents a lower-cost alternative with greater industrial flexibility, while meeting the Indian Air Force’s growing need for additional aerial refueling capacity and strategic transport.
Source and images: Indian Defence News | Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). This content was created with the assistance of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
