Military of China, force comment.
Military of China, force comment.

Airbus A330 MRTT production type tanker
Indian Air Force Il-78MKI tanker

LONDON May 30 news: Russia’s” Independent Military Observer, “26 Journal of the text that the Indian Air Force has decided abandon the procurement of Russian-made Il-78 aerial refueling aircraft, Europe’s Airbus instead purchasing the production of A330 MRTT tanker type. According to information released prior to the Indian side, the budget for the procurement of tankers will reach $ 1 billion. In addition, the Indian system of arms export Russia’s military has shown dissatisfaction, so the two sides in military-technical cooperation in other areas may also be affected.

“The Times of India,” said Russia’s military, India has been much like the former Soviet Union as kind, so that led to the Indian Air Force decided not to buy Russian-made Il-78 tanker.

three years ago in the Indian Air Force announced plans to purchase a number of indicators of air refueling, the Il-78 and A330 MRTT is the two main competitors.

However, the Indian Air Force after more than six years on the use of Il-78 concluded that the Russian tanker and can not be met. Therefore, the Indian Air Force will be to focus attention on the production of Airbus A330 MRTT up. Currently, the United Kingdom, Australia, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates Air Force have been equipped with A330 MRTT tanker.

MRTT is a multi-purpose transport aircraft refueling phrase in English abbreviation. A330MRTT in Europe developed a new Airbus, the A330-200 long-range dual-channel on the basis of civil aircraft developed. It is equipped with General Electric’s CF6-80E1 engines, the implementation of fly-by, the installation of self-defense electronic warfare equipment. An A330 tanker can carry 65 tons of fuel, flying to more than 1,600 kilometers away from the base where an air refueling mission.

法里霍米梅杰 the Indian Air Force general said: “We have concluded that all tested and selected the A330 MRTT. The transaction will soon be presented to the Security Council for final approval. Russia The platform does not meet our request. “It is reported that the first A330 MRTT aircraft will be delivered in three years after the signing of the contract the Indian Air Force, remaining after the tanker will be completed within 15 months of delivery.

Major will be added in the Soviet Union, Russia has changed defense products trade policy, one result is that the supply of spare parts and after-sales service and so there is a problem.

In addition, the Indian Navy commander has publicly declared two years ago and need to re-examine the relationship between the Russian military-technical cooperation. The reason why he would make this unhappy position, mainly due to Russian technology and equipment although the price cheaper than the West, but after a lot of money it takes to maintain protection.

Indian media also broke the news that New Delhi is Russia unilaterally raise “Admiral Gorshkov” aircraft modification costs and the price of Su-30MKI fighters are very dissatisfied.

Russia’s strategic and technical analysis director Bruce Lumpkin Hough told “The Independent” interview, said that as the objective and subjective reasons, Russia in the Indian market share is decreasing . In his view, the objective aspect is mainly due to New Delhi is pursuing a policy of diversification of sources of weapons. Puhuo Fu said: “The Indian market is growing, but this increase is more conducive to other arms-exporting countries, not Russia, although Russia’s arms exports to India are increasing in absolute terms, when market share is gradually declining.” He pointed out that Russian officials have long ignored the decline in the share of Russian indifference is the cause of Russia’s arms exports to India mainly due to stagnation.

addition, Puhuo Fu pointed out that another important reason is the cost of Russian-made weapons have soared, close to the West of similar products, while the previous price advantage is to help enterprises of Russian arms exports accounted for India One of the main market magic. He added: “India is less affected by the economic crisis, so they have sufficient funds to buy weapons. Low prices can not attract the attention of India. Indians are now a very expensive purchase, after the Gulf countries can afford only weapons systems. “

The subjective reasons, Puhuo Fu pointed out that Russia is leading to some poor corporate reputation in India turned its attention to an important reason for the West. For example, he said, India is to the U.S. C-130J military transport aircraft procurement, mainly due to a jointly developed by Russian enterprises in both countries during the progress of military transport aircraft is too slow. Puhuo Fu concluded by stressing that: “The most concern is related to India 126 multi-role fighter deal. Russia is the deal not long ago was considered the ‘darling’, but in the emergence of a large number of other contract Russia will issue the tender in the future to have an extremely negative impact. “(Compiled: Spring)