The Indian Air Force (IAF) is likely to award an around Rs 8,000 crore contract to Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) for six mid-air refuelling aircraft, ANI reported, citing defence sources. The Israel government-owned company has emerged as the single vendor in the long-pending deal.

According to ANI, if finalised, IAI would modify six old Boeing 767 commercial planes into tanker aircraft and supply them to the Indian Air Force.

“The IAI has emerged as the resultant single vendor in a competitive bid where it has agreed to the need for around 30 per cent Made in India content through offsets involved in the deal,” defence sources told ANI.

The competition, which began a few years ago, saw participation from Russian and European firms. However, IAI remained the only contender meeting al

See Full Page