The Hindu : Business : Airbus arm in race to supply mid-air refuelling aircraft to IAF

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Airbus arm in race to supply mid-air refuelling aircraft to IAF

Special Correspondent

A330 MRTT aircraft have been ordered by six air forces

— PHOTO: K. MURALI KUMAR

LATEST VINTAGE:Didier Vernet, Head of Market Development, Airbus Military, addressing a press conference in Bangalore on Friday.

BANGALORE: Airbus Military, the military aircraft-producing wing of Airbus, which is a consortium supported by several governments in Europe, has announced that is in the race to supply six mid-air refuelling transport aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF). Didier Vernet, Head, Market Development, Airbus Military, said, “We are in competition with the Russian-made IL-78 to supply the Airbus A330 multi-role tanker transport (MRTT).”

Mr. Vernet said the aircraft, which is based on the A330 civilian aircraft, “can easily be converted into an MRTT.” “This aircraft is of latest vintage, which gives it an edge over the IL-78 manufactured by Ilyushin,” he contented. The aircraft's design is such that it can be used for a combination of in-flight refuelling, troop carrier and cargo operations, he said. He said 28 A330 MRTT aircraft have been ordered by six air forces — Australia, the U.K., United Arab Emirates, Canada, Germany and Saudi Arabia. He said the “converted A330 aircraft are undergoing certification at Airbus' facility in Spain. “The IAF can verify the capability of the aircraft at the facility,” he said.

Mr. Vernet said Airbus Military's new transport aircraft, A400M, which is still undergoing testing, “will be ready for deliveries in early 2013.” While admitting that the project had suffered cost overruns, he said, “The development of the aircraft has not been delayed significantly.”

The A400M is being positioned as a transport carrier for both civilian and military use.

Mr. Vernet estimated that the global demand for transport carriers would be about 900 in the next 20-25 years. Airbus, he said, expected to sell about 400 A400M aircraft, which can carry payloads of more than 20 tonnes.

Although Airbus Military would be participating in Aero India 2011, which is to be held in Bangalore in February, it would not be demonstrating any aircraft at the air show, Mr. Vernet said.

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