United States based Metrea, have signed a contract with the Indian Air Force (IAF) to provide IAF with air-to-air refueling (AAR) training a...
United States based Metrea, have signed a contract with the Indian Air Force (IAF) to provide IAF with air-to-air refueling (AAR) training and capability to augment and compliment its troubled Ilyushin IL-78MKI Midas tanker fleet.
Metrea will provide Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker Flight Refueler Aircraft (FRA) based out of Indian Air Force Station Agra in Central India.
This comes after Metrea announced in July the acquisition of the French Air & Space Force C-135FR and KC-135RG tanker fleet, increasing their presence in the commercial AAR market by fourteen tankers from an initial four KC-135R tankers.
Metrea’s fleet of 18 now stands as the world’s largest commercial aerial refueling fleet which eclipses all but four sovereign countries in terms of size and capability.
Metrea’s tanker aircraft are equipped with two wing-mounted Multi-Point Refueling System (MPRS) pods which facilitate refueling with probe equipped Navy, Marine Corps and partner nation aircraft.
Metrea completed the acquisition of fourteen plane French Air and Space Forces (FASF) KC-/C-135 aerial refueling fleet following an agreement signed on 17 May 2024. The FASF is transitioning to the new generation Airbus A330-based tankers.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) currently operates a fleet of six Ilyushin Il-78MKI aerial refuellers, which were inducted in 2003–2004 and are assigned to No. 78 Squadron ("Valorous MARS") at Agra Air Force Station . These aircraft are equipped to refuel up to three fighter jets simultaneously, with a maximum fuel-carrying capacity of 138 tons and a range of up to 6,100 km .
However, the fleet faces significant challenges. Maintenance issues, particularly with the refuelling pods, and a lack of spare parts have led to poor serviceability rates, often below 50%. This has prompted the IAF to train fighter pilots using buddy-buddy refuelling techniques and to seek leased tankers for training purposes .
To address these limitations, the IAF is pursuing the acquisition of additional aerial refuellers. Proposals include leasing an French Air Force Airbus A330 MRTT.
India cancelled an acquisition plan for six Airbus A330 MRTT in 2016, citing high acquisition and operating costs.
