HAL offers Ex Air India Boeing-747 freighters conversion to IAF for the Tactical Transport fleet

Source : Indian Defence Updates (IDU)

Air India Boeing 747-237C Freight Cargo Aircraft (Credit: Jet Photos)

Indian Air Force's IL-76 Tactical Transporter fleet has been facing issues with lack of modernization and disturbed spare supplies from Russia and frequent usage of Boeing C-17 Globemaster-III aircraft for ferrying Non-Military Cargo results in a higher cost and puts additional air miles on the strategic aircraft which in turn reduces its airframe life.

The Indian Air Force is now actively considering a proposal made by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for converting Air India's Boeing 704 aircraft to be used for the heavy lifting that is associated with Air Freight cargo.

Four Ex Air India Boeing 747 aircraft have been delisted after the completion of 30 years but they still have some airframe life left and they can be converted as a cargo aircraft.