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IAF gets air-to-air refueller

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI MARCH 3. The Indian Air Force has received its first force multiplier in the form of the gigantic IL-78 air-to-air refueller. The IL-78, capable of carrying 36 tonnes of fuel, will be able to provide two mid-air refuelling. This will increase the strike capability of some IAF fighter jets by up to three times.

The advantages of air-to-air refuelling were brought home to the IAF during its exercises with French Air Force last month. The four French Mirage 2000 covered the total distance of 10,000 km from their bases in Northern France to Gwalior in a single hop since they were accompanied by a refueller which provided them replenishment in mid year. IAF pilots also witnessed refuelling first-hand when they took the back seat in a two-seater French Mirage and watched the lead pilot refuel the plane in just five minutes.

Flown by Shauvik Roy, the commander of the newly-raised "Battle Cry'' squadron, the first refueller arrived here on Sunday evening and was today moved to its temporary base at Agra. The second IL-78 will arrive next month and the remaining four will arrive by the end of the year. The Defence Minister, George Fernandes, received the first refueller in Tashkent on Friday last. The IAF Vice-Chief of Air Staff, M. Mcmahon and the Assistant Chief (Concepts and Doctrine), Raj Kumar, received the refueller from the Defence Minister. The Uzbek Defence Minister and the chairman of the Tashkent Aircraft Production Corporation also attended the ceremony.

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