In India, the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to convert passenger planes into Multi Mission Tanker Transport planes.
HAL will convert pre-owned passenger aircraft into aerial refuelling tankers with cargo and transport capabilities under this pact, which aims to boost the Make-in-India initiative.
This will provide new capabilities and cost-effective solutions to India’s defence ecosystem.
Aerial refuelling tankers are essential for extending the range of fighters and other aircraft, as they allow them to continue their mission without having to land and refuel.
In the presence of Mr Chandraker Bharati, JS (Aero), MoD, Mr D. Maiti, CEO (MiG Complex), HAL, and Mr Yaacov Berkovitz, VP & GM Aviation Group, IAI, signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard in Delhi.
Mr. R. Madhavan, HAL’s CMD, says, “We are pleased to join hands with our long-standing partner IAI in this venture of MMTT conversion business, which is one of HAL’s strategic diversification avenues identified.“
"We are proud to come together with our counterparts to bring our best value MMTT solution to India, while utilising local resources to manufacture and market the platform," said Boaz Levy, President and CEO of IAI. We are supporting the 'Make in India' campaign by collaborating with HAL and bringing conversion directly to India."
According to the IAI, their Boeing767 conversion process transforms pre-owned B767 aircraft into aerial tankers for a variety of military missions, all of which include Air-to-Air refuelling capabilities.
- Customers can choose from a variety of flexible options, such as adapting the aircraft for cargo, VIPs, passengers, or intelligence systems.
- A special cargo door and built-in cargo pallet capabilities are included in each aircraft configuration, as well as passenger seats and consoles that can be quickly installed or removed.
- IAI has converted over 250 passenger aircraft to Special Freighters for special missions, many of which have an unbeatable safety record and high utilisation rates, they added.
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