In a significant move to address its long-standing aerial refueling challenges, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced the leasing of aerial refueling aircraft from both private military contractor Metrea and the French Air Force. This development marks a crucial interim measure as the Indian Air Force (IAF) continues efforts to secure a long-term solution to its tanker aircraft shortfall.
The IAF’s existing fleet of Ilyushin Il-78MKI refueling aircraft, inducted in 2003, has been plagued with operational and logistical issues. The fleet has suffered from unreliable refueling pods, maintenance difficulties, and problems with securing spare parts. Between 2010 and 2016, the Il-78MKI fleet’s availability rate averaged only 49%, far below the IAF’s target of 70%. Despite multiple attempts to acquire new tankers over the years, the procurement process has been repeatedly stalled by bureaucratic hurdles and cost-focused bidding requirements.
The inadequacy of India’s aerial refueling capabilities has had a direct impact on the operational readiness of its fighter squadrons, limiting their range and endurance for extended missions. With increasing regional security concerns and growing military engagements with international partners, enhancing the country’s mid-air refueling capability has become a priority.
Faced with these operational limitations, the MoD has opted for a leasing strategy to bolster refueling capabilities:
- KC-135 Stratotanker from Metrea: The private military contractor Metrea has been awarded a wet lease contract to provide a KC-135 Stratotanker, including crew and maintenance support. The aircraft will be operational within six months and will be used for training both IAF and Indian Navy pilots in air-to-air refueling.
- Airbus A330 MRTT from the French Air Force: In addition to the KC-135, the Indian government has secured approval to lease an Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) from the French Air Force for a period of three years. This wet lease contract is not only aimed at increasing the availability of aerial refueling assets but also at familiarizing IAF personnel with the MRTT platform, which has been the service’s preferred choice for future tanker acquisitions. The lease agreement is expected to be finalized in the next financial year, starting April 2025.
The decision to lease aerial refueling aircraft underscores India’s urgent need to supplement its existing tanker fleet while navigating the complexities of long-term procurement.
IAF officials have consistently expressed a preference for the Airbus A330 MRTT, citing its superior fuel offload capacity, operational flexibility, and proven performance in supporting Indian fighter aircraft. The MRTT was instrumental in the delivery of India’s Rafale fighters, which were refueled en route from France by A330 MRTTs operated by the French and UAE air forces.
Further emphasizing its inclination toward the MRTT, India signed an agreement with Australia in November 2024 to allow the Royal Australian Air Force’s KC-30A (the Australian designation for the A330 MRTT) to support IAF operations. However, despite the IAF’s clear preference, previous attempts to procure the MRTT have faced obstacles due to India’s stringent procurement policies, which prioritize cost-effectiveness over long-term operational efficiency.
While leasing provides an immediate solution, India is also exploring indigenous options. In 2022, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) entered into an agreement with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to convert pre-owned Boeing 767 aircraft into aerial refueling platforms. However, no significant updates have emerged regarding this project, suggesting that it remains under evaluation. If pursued further, this initiative could serve as a cost-effective alternative to acquiring new tankers while aligning with India’s push for defense self-reliance.
The induction of leased refueling aircraft is expected to alleviate some operational pressure on the IAF’s struggling Il-78 fleet. By reducing the burden of training and certain operational commitments on the Il-78s, the availability of the fleet could see marginal improvements. However, the leased tankers alone will not fully address India’s air-to-air refueling needs.
India’s refueling capabilities are essential for sustaining long-range fighter deployments, particularly in the context of increasing regional tensions and growing military cooperation with partner nations. The IAF and Navy operate a diverse range of fighter aircraft, including the Rafale, Su-30MKI, MiG-29, Tejas, Jaguar, and Mirage 2000, all of which rely on aerial refueling for extended mission endurance. Additionally, the Il-78s support India’s airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system, including the DRDO Netra platform based on the Embraer R-99 aircraft.
One of the significant advantages of leasing the KC-135 and A330 MRTT is their compatibility with the U.S.-made P-8I Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. The Il-78s are incompatible with the P-8I due to differences in refueling systems, but both the KC-135 and A330 MRTT are equipped with boom refueling capability, allowing India’s P-8Is to extend their operational reach significantly. This enhancement is particularly strategic given India’s maritime surveillance requirements, which include monitoring Chinese naval activity and combating piracy in the Indian Ocean region.
India’s defense acquisition strategy is distinct due to its blend of equipment sourced from multiple international suppliers. Unlike most nations that rely primarily on one supplier or alliance, India operates a mix of Russian, European, Israeli, and American military hardware.
For example, the Indian Navy’s Visakhapatnam-class destroyers integrate a variety of foreign and domestic systems:
- Italian OTO Melara 76mm naval guns
- Russian-Indian BrahMos anti-ship missiles
- Israeli Barak 8 surface-to-air missiles
- Israeli MF-STAR AESA radar systems
This diversified procurement strategy stems from India’s historical non-alignment policy during the Cold War, allowing it to maintain strategic autonomy while acquiring military equipment from both Western and Eastern blocs. Despite ongoing geopolitical shifts, India continues to engage with multiple defense suppliers to balance cost, capability, and political considerations.
Despite India’s traditional reliance on Russian defense equipment, Western nations—particularly the United States—are actively seeking to reduce New Delhi’s dependence on Moscow. In February 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump made a surprising statement suggesting that India could potentially acquire Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets in the future, a departure from previous U.S. policy.
Historically, the U.S. has been reluctant to offer F-35s to countries operating Russian military systems, citing security concerns. Turkey was expelled from the F-35 program after it acquired Russian S-400 missile systems. If India were to pursue the F-35, it could signal a significant shift in its defense procurement strategy and broader geopolitical alignment.
India’s decision to lease KC-135 and A330 MRTT tankers represents an important step in addressing its air-to-air refueling challenges. While not a permanent solution, this measure provides much-needed relief for the IAF’s struggling Il-78 fleet and allows time to finalize a long-term procurement strategy. As India continues to modernize its aerial refueling capabilities, its procurement decisions will have far-reaching implications for operational readiness and strategic partnerships on the global stage.
