The Indian Air Force is nearing a significant procurement milestone as it prepares to award an estimated Rs 8,000 crore contract for six aerial tanker aircraft to Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), an Israeli government-owned company. According to a report in ANI, this decision follows a competitive process in which IAI emerged as the only remaining vendor, after other international firms failed to meet specific tender criteria including the requirement for up to 30 per cent indigenous content on second-hand planes. Advertisement

The addition of these aerial tankers is expected to enhance the operational range and effectiveness of the Air Force and Navy, the report added.

The competition, initiated several years ago, initially attracted Russian and European firms. However, IAI became the

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