India selects Airbus Military A330 MRTT aircraft
Airbus Military is expected to supply the A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft to Indian Air Force (IAF) following the company’s selection as the preferred bidder for a contract by the Indian government.
According to the company, 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.
Airbus Military said in a 7 January statement that detailed negotiations will now begin which are expected to lead to the award of a final production contract for an envisaged six aircraft in 2013.
Domingo Ureña Raso, Airbus Military CEO, said: ‘We are grateful for the confidence shown in our company by the government of India and the IAF, 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 UAE, and the UK which have ordered a total of 28 aircraft.
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