Deal worth $900 million: Israel to supply India with aerial refueling aircraft instead of Russian ones

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is close to finalizing a deal with India to supply six military aerial refueling aircraft worth about $900 million. The planes will be converted from passenger Boeing 767s and are intended to replace outdated Russian aircraft.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is close to finalizing a deal with India to supply six military aerial refueling aircraft worth about $900 million. This was reported on November 1 by Calcalist, citing Indian media reports. For the Indian Air Force, six passenger Boeing 767s are planned to be converted and delivered to the customer by 2030. At least 30% of the work will be carried out in India by local companies, to which IAI will transfer the necessary technical knowledge. Over the past year, the Israeli concern has remained the sole participant in the Indian tender for new aerial refueling aircraft, which are to replace outdated Russian-made machines. India seeks to strengthen its Air Force amid threats from Pakistan and China. Converting passenger aircraft will reduce costs: such a machine is 30-50% cheaper than a new tanker. For IAI, the Indian order could ensure continued work in this field for years to come. Previously, the concern tried to convince the Israeli Ministry of Defense and the Air Force to purchase its own tankers, but the government preferred American Boeing KC-46s. The deal with India could ensure the continued demand for specialists involved in aircraft conversion.