SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Navy has outlined an ambitious long-term vision to operate its fleet of aerial refuelling aircraft, a strategic move aimed at enhancing operational independence and supporting its growing aviation assets. According to a naval official speaking to idrw.org, the Navy intends to issue a separate Request for Information (RFI) shortly to kickstart this initiative.
With its fighter jet fleet projected to expand from the current 45 units to nearly 150 over the next two decades, the Navy seeks to reduce its reliance on the Indian Air Force (IAF) for mid-air refuelling capability.
The Indian Navy’s fighter jet fleet, currently comprising 45 MiG-29Ks operating from INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, is set for a dramatic expansion. The planned procurement of 26 Rafale-M jets (approved in July 2023) and the development of the indigenous Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF)—targeting 45 units by the mid-2030s—will push the fleet toward 100-150 aircraft by 2045. This growth aligns with the Navy’s Maritime Capability Perspective Plan (MCPP), which envisions three aircraft carriers by 2050, necessitating robust air wings to secure India’s maritime interests in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Historically, the Navy has depended on the IAF’s Il-78 tankers for refuelling exercises, such as those during Operation Trident in 2022, where MiG-29Ks were refuelled mid-flight. However, with the IAF’s tanker fleet overstretched—servicing its own 31 squadrons and facing availability issues—the Navy’s expanding operational tempo demands a dedicated solution. “Our fighter jet fleet will nearly triple in size over the next 20 years,” the naval official told idrw.org. “Aerial refuelling is no longer a luxury but a necessity to ensure sustained operations, and we can’t keep leaning on the Air Force.”
The Navy’s vision extends beyond fighters, reflecting the diverse roles its aviation assets play in maritime security. The planned refuelers will support 12 Boeing P-8I Poseidons, with a potential order for 9-10 more by 2026. Extending their 7,500-kilometer range via mid-air refuelling would enhance anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and surveillance missions across the IOR.
The fleet of 24 MH-60R Seahawks and legacy Sea Kings could benefit from aerial refuelling to extend ASW and search-and-rescue operations, particularly in distant waters like the Malacca Strait.
While the RFI’s specifics remain undisclosed, potential candidates include the Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT)—already familiar to India via the IAF’s lease—or the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus, which offers a 48-ton fuel capacity and compatibility with U.S.-supplied P-8Is and MH-60Rs. A more cost-effective option could involve converting surplus Air India A320s or A330s via Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), though this would require foreign collaboration for refuelling kits (e.g., Israel Aerospace Industries’ conversion systems). Posts on X in February 2025 suggest enthusiasm for the A330 MRTT, citing its “proven interoperability with Rafale-M and P-8I,” though cost remains a concern.
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