In a bid to enhance the reach of its aircrafts, India is planning to have a “direct purchase” of six flight refuelling aircraft (FRA) or tankers.
The move is aim to enhance the reach of fighter jets, bombers and surveillance aircraft.
According to a report by the Times of India, the Defence ministry (MoD) has proposed the contract of Rs 9,000 crore for acquisition of six Airbus-330 MRTT (multi-role tanker transport) aircraft.
“Airbus was told towards end-June that the RFP (request for proposal or tender), under which the A-330 MRTT was selected as L-1 (lowest bidder), has been withdrawn. A decision will now be taken for direct acquisition of FRA, a critical operational necessity for IAF,” the newspaper quoted a top MoD source.
The purchase was in state of flux from several years due to the factors like high cost, issues like CBI cases and change in the manufacturer's name from EADS Cassidian to Airbus Group.
“Airbus was told towards end-June that the RFP (request for proposal or tender), under which the A-330 MRTT was selected as L-1 (lowest bidder), has been withdrawn. A decision will now be taken for direct acquisition of FRA, a critical operational necessity for IAF,” TOI quoted the MoD source.
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