Indian tanker contest draws Airbus, Ilyushin bids, but Boeing stays away

illustration Airbus military

DATE:21/01/11

SOURCE:Flight International

By Greg Waldron

Airbus Military and Ilyushin have submitted bids in India's revived competition for six in-flight refuelling aircraft, while Boeing remains on the sidelines. A New Delhi-based source close to the competition confirms that the Airbus A330 multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) is in contention for the requirement, along with the Ilyushin Il-78 tanker. The Indian air force already has an active fleet of seven Il-78MKs, says Flightglobal's MiliCAS database. Details on India's selection schedule are unclear, however. "There is no decision on the horizon," says the source.