Aerospace Diary

Neelam Mathews Jan 7, 2012 Airbus Military is in the process of working on draft contracts for the MMRT and for (30%) offsets to present to the MoD after having being declared the lowest bidder in the race for IAF tankers. The contract is expected to be signed by April, AerospaceDiary learns. The Airbus-330 MRTT won the race against competitor Ilyushin-78 mid-air refueling aircraft in an approximate Rs 8,500-crore contract. Had this tender not been repeated, India would have saved considerable money given the depreciation of the Indian rupee by around 25% in just the past 12 months. However, the lifecycle costs included this time around, were key to Airbus winning the deal.

Neelam Mathews Dec 4, 2012 Even as Airbus Military formally delivered the fifth and final A330 MRTT multi-role tanker transport ordered by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) which it has designated the KC-30A, a controversy might just be brewing in India over ASQRs of the tanker bids for which commercial bids have opened and technical evaluation completed.   At the risk of going overboard, we here at Aerospace Diary, feel it is time national interests come first and if any OEM has been cleared by a technical evaluation committee chosen by the government, we have to trust them and stop holding back projects in a bid to look transparent, everytime a company losing a bid, cries foul. Our squeaky clean defense minister now needs to hold the hand of his chosen lieutenants and show the world India means business on its own but fair, terms. We are hearing there seems to be some confusion on the SQRs. Para 5.7, according to some people we spoke to, said the tankers need...

Indian Air Force Chief Outlines Modernization Plans AIN DEFENSE PERSPECTIVE  »  OCTOBER 12, 2012 by    NEELAM MATHEWS India’s decision on a multi-role tanker transport is expected imminently, with Airbus’s A330 MRTT believed to have the edge over its Russian competitor. (Photo: Airbus Military) October 12, 2012, 11:40 AM The Indian Air Force ( IAF ) is poised to take important decisions on new helicopters and refueling aircraft, said Air Chief Marshal  NAK  Browne in a briefing to mark the service’s 80th anniversary and the release of a new, unclassified doctrine document. The  IAF ’s choice of a new multi-role tanker transport ( MRTT ) should be announced “in a few weeks,” said Browne. The requirement has been bid twice, with the Airbus A330  MRTT  and Ilyushin Il-78 in contention. Life cycle costs, which were not a consideration in the first competition, “will be a key determinant this time, an...