Hunt begins for refuelling aircraft

New Delhi: Almost nine months after cancelling a contract to buy a new fleet of mid-air refueling aircraft, the Defence Ministry has started a new hunt, with tenders for a fresh procurement being sent to global aviation companies.
Fresh requests for proposals (RFP) have been issued to aviation firms in the US, Europe and Russia for six tankers that are expected to cost around $2 billion.
The fresh requests come after the earlier purchase bid hit a nasty roadblock last year. The Finance Ministry had objected to the high cost and lack of commercial competitiveness in the contract that led to the selection of the European Airbus 330 MRTT aircraft.
While the requirements have not been changed in the new tender, life cycle costs have been added to the RFP, sources said.
In the last selection round, only two companies — European Airbus (EADS) and Russian Rosoboronexport — made it to the trials. This time, more are expected to take part. “We have received the RFP and are conducting a detailed evaluation of the request and will make a decision based on that information,” Vivek Lall, vice-president, Boeing Defense, Space and Security, India said.
27/09/10 Manu Pubby/Indian Express

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Sep 2010