The acquisition of 15 maritime patrol aircraft – nine for the Navy and five for the Coast Guard – will be a boost to Tata-Airbus that is already manufacturing the C 295 aircraft in Gujarat. With the additional order, a total of 71 aircraft will be produced and more orders are also in the pipeline from other security agencies. Sources said that while the original order for 56 C 295 aircraft for the IAF was placed on Airbus, with Tata being the manufacturing partners, the additional order valued at ₹29,000 crore will see Tata as the prime contractor.
The IAF has also got a go ahead to procure new mid air refueler aircraft, a critical force multiplier. The requirement of six new such aircraft has been projected since 2009 and two earlier attempts to procure them have failed. Sources said that the aircraft will be bought under the Buy Global option given the limited numbers needed.
The competitors will also have the option of offering second hand airliners that have been converted to a multi role tanker. Airbus and Boeing platforms are likely to be in contention and the competitors are also expected to offer a part of the conversion work order to be undertaken with Indian partners.
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