Airbus eyes Indian contract for aircraft tankers

Langkawi, Malaysia: European aircraft manufacturer, Airbus, is hopeful of securing a deal to supply its A330 aerial refuelling tanker aircraft to India, an Airbus official has said.

"India sent a request for proposals late last year. We responded by the end of January. We hope to win the contract," Pablo Quesada, Airbus's head of market development for the aircraft, told.

Russian Ilyushin is the only other contender for the contract, with its Il-78 model. The Indian Air Force already has a number of aircraft of this model in fleet service.

Boeing has not made an offer to India. The US aerospace giant and defence contractor in February beat Airbus for a long running tender to provide 179 air tankers for the US Air Force.

Quesada declined to give further details. He was speaking at an international maritime and aerospace exhibition on the Malaysia resort island of Langkawi.

According to industry estimates, though India is looking at acquiring six aircraft its long-term requirements may be far higher.

India as a client would make the country the fifth export client for the multi-role tanker aircraft.

The aircraft, apart from consortium partner nations, has been ordered by four clients - Australia, Saudi Arabia, Britain and the United Arab Emirates.