Archive · 28 Oct 2025
IAF Set to Acquire Refueling Aircraft from Israeli Firm
Imagine the Indian Air Force has some planes that need to fly really far.
To help them, they need airplanes that can give them more fuel while they're flying!
The Air Force is buying these special refueling planes from a company in Israel.
These new planes will be made by changing regular passenger planes into flying gas stations.
This deal is worth a lot of money!
The new planes will let the Air Force’s planes fly much further, which is helpful.
This is because the Air Force already has some refueling planes, but they have problems, and they want more to help with their newer, longer-range planes.
IAF is acquiring six mid-air refueling aircraft.
Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) is expected to be awarded the contract.
The contract is valued at approximately Rs 8,000 crore.
The new aircraft will be modified Boeing 767 commercial jets.
The deal includes around 30% Made in India content.
- Who
- Indian Air Force (IAF) and Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI)
- What
- IAF is set to acquire six mid-air refueling aircraft.
- When
- The deal is expected to move forward after a long-pending plan.
- Where
- India
- Why
- To enhance IAF’s long-range operational reach and address challenges with current fleet.
- Contract Value
- Rs 8,000 crore
- Winning Bidder
- Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI)
- Aircraft Type
- Modified Boeing 767 commercial jets
- Number of Aircraft
- 6
- Current Tanker Fleet
- 6 Russian-origin IL-78 aircraft
- Made in India Content
- Around 30% through offsets