Airbus Military has
been selected by the Government of India as the preferred bidder to supply its A330
MRTT Multi Role Tanker Transport to the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The decision follows
a lengthy and thorough selection process including the completion of extensive
flight demonstrations in India by the A330 MRTT during which the aircraft
refuelled multiple types of IAF fighters and operated from the high-altitude
IAF base at Leh.
Detailed
negotiations will now begin which it is expected will lead to the award of a
final production contract for an envisaged six aircraft in 2013.
Airbus Military CEO
Domingo Ureña Raso said: “We are grateful for the confidence shown in our
company by the Government of India and the Indian Air Force, and we appreciate
the detailed and fair appraisal of the competing products which they have
conducted.
This has been a long
and tough competition and we are honoured to have been selected.
“We are fully
committed to the next stage of the negotiations, and ultimately to providing
the IAF with what is unquestionably the most advanced tanker/transport aircraft
flying and certified today.”
India´s selection of
the A330 MRTT makes it the fifth nation to commit to the type following
Australia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom which
have ordered a total of 28 aircraft.
Detailed negotiations will now begin which it is expected will lead to the award of a final production contract for an envisaged six aircraft in 2013.
