A few days ago, the defence ministry signed a contract with US-based military contractor Metrea Management for wet leasing of flight refuelling aircraft (FRA) for providing air-to-air refuelling training to pilots of Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy.
Wet leasing refers to the leasing arrangement in which one airline offers an aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance to another airline or entity for a stipulated period.
Metrea will provide FRA Stratotanker refuelling aircraft within six months. This will be the first FRA to be wet leased by IAF.
About KC-135 Stratotanker
A crucial component of the United States Air Force's operational capabilities for over 60 years, KC-135 Stratotanker is a military aerial refuelling aircraft developed by Boeing.
KC-135 is equipped with a flying boom system for refuelling, which allows it to transfer fuel to other aircraft during flight. It can also be fitted with a multipoint refueling system that enables it to refuel two aircraft simultaneously.
ALSO READ: I56 attack choppers incoming soon: When will Indian Army, IAF get to deploy 156 LCH Prachand?
Most of the internal fuel could be pumped through boom, which is the aircraft's primary fuel transfer method. The boom operator, who would be stationed near the rear of the aircraft controls the boom during in-flight air refueling.
Besides, the drogue attached to and trailing behind the flying boom could be used for refuelling aircraft fitted with probes. The IAF primarily uses the probe-and-drogue system for aerial refuelling.
Why KC-135?
India is wet leasing a KC-135 Stratotanker in a bid to address the major operational challenges faced by its existing fleet of Soviet/Russian four-engined tanker Ilyushin Il-78MKI tankers, including unreliable refuelling pods, problems with maintenance.
India inducted Ilyushin Il-78MKI refuelling aircraft in 2003. Since its induction, there have been major operational and logistic challenges. The operational readiness and flexibility of the Indian defence forces, especially in the wake of the heightened tensions with China along the Line of Actual Control, suffered due to persistent maintenance and serviceability issues which include a lack of adequate manufacturer support. Over the years, the fleet's availability rates has fallen below 50 per cent, much below IAF's target of 70 per cent.
India's attempts to procure new tankers have been stuck in bureaucratic hurdles, prompting the defence ministry to look for interim solutions. The wet leasing arrangement is seen as a cost-effective and flexible option, allowing for immediate operational deployment.
