Aerospace Diary

AIN DEFENSE PERSPECTIVE  »  JANUARY 11, 2013 by    NEELAM MATHEWS India will become the fifth country to operate A330 multi-role tanker transports (MRTTs), following Australia, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the UK. (Photo: Airbus Military) January 11, 2013, 10:25 AM The Indian Air Force ( IAF ) has selected the A330 multi-role tanker transport ( MRTT ) for its tanker procurement in preference to the Ilyushin Il- 78MK , after a second round of bidding. Commercial negotiations for six aircraft with an option for three more will start soon, and a contract that includes a 30-percent offset commitment is expected to be signed by June. Airbus Military  CEO  Domingo Urena-Raso said, “This has been a long and tough competition, and we are honored to have been selected.” The depot maintenance and life support costs of the A330 were a factor in the Airbus win, since the base price of the Il-78 was lower. Having suffered in t...

  Posted by- Neelam Mathews April 23, 2012 An Airbus Military A330 MRTT multi role tanker transport of the Royal Australian Air Force, designated the KC-30A, has flown the highest number of passengers ever carried by the service in a single flight. The aircraft of 33 Sqn, RAAF carried 220 passengers from the Australian Defence Force Academy as well as its 14 crew, on a two-hour flight from Defense Establishment Fairbairn last month. Photo copyright Commonwealth of Australia