HAL and Israel Aerospace Industries sign MoU from MMTT

In a move aimed at bolstering the ‘Make in India’ campaign, HAL has entered into a MoU with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to convert Civil (Passenger) aircraft to Multi Mission Tanker Transport (MMTT) aircraft in India. 

About the MoU:

• Under the pact signed recently, HAL will convert pre-owned Civil (Passenger) aircraft into air refueling aircraft with cargo and transport capabilities.
• The move will provide India’s defence ecosystem with new capabilities and cost effective solutions in the market.
• The MoU will facilitate HAL and IAI’s decades’ long expertise in developing, manufacturing and producing leading defence platforms.
• The scope of MoU also covers “passenger to freighter aircraft” conversion along with MMTT conversions.
• The B 767 class of civil aircraft will be converted into a refueling aircraft which will have cargo and transport capabilities to be used by the Indian Air Force (IAF). 

Importance of MMTT:

• For every Air Force in the world these play a critical role in helping to achieve strategic goals and in boosting the force capabilities during various operations.
• During combat situations they help in enhancing not only the impact but effectiveness too.
• These commercial aircraft from the US based Boeing company are considered to have the lowest operating cost per trip of any wide body airplane.
• These aircraft can be configured as per operator’s requirement – it could be re-fueling, VIP passengers, cargo movement and ISR systems.
• There will be special cargo doors and built in pallet capabilities, and there will be passenger seats that can be removed or installed as per the requirement during operations.
• IAI has been converting the B767 into aerial tankers for different military missions, and air-to-air refueling capabilities.