Delhi, 21 November (H.S.): The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Friday significantly enhanced its aerial refueling capabilities with the arrival of a leased Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker from the United States. The aircraft touched down at Agra Air Force Station this morning under a comprehensive wet lease agreement, designed to bolster the IAF's operational reach during modern combat scenarios.

Under the terms of the wet lease, the aircraft will be operated, crewed, and maintained entirely by the American firm Metrea Management. The acquisition addresses critical operational challenges faced by the IAF's existing fleet of six Russian Ilyushin-78 tankers, which were first inducted in 2003.

These aging refuelers have been plagued by significant maintenance and serviceability issues, limiting their availability for long-range missions that require extended flight without landing.

For years, the IAF has sought to augment its mid-air refueling fleet. Efforts to procure six new refuelers have been ongoing since 2007 but have been consistently hampered by diplomatic delays and financial constraints. The current lease agreement with Metrea Management also includes provisions for providing crucial air-to-air refueling training for both IAF and Indian Navy pilots.

The KC-135 Stratotanker, a stalwart of the U.S. Air Force for over 60 years, features an advanced flying boom system for refueling and can be configured with a multipoint system to service two aircraft simultaneously. This leased tanker is expected to be deployed for operations immediately, strengthening India's defense preparedness, particularly amid heightened tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, where the operational readiness of the IL-78 fleet has been a persistent concern.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar