IAF set to buy Rs 80 billion aerial tankers from Israeli firm

29 Oct 2025 CW Team

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is likely to finalise a Rs 80 billion deal for the purchase of six aerial refuelling aircraft from Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), a government-owned firm that has emerged as the sole qualifying bidder.

If awarded the contract, IAI will convert six pre-owned Boeing 767 commercial aircraft into mid-air refuelling tankers before supplying them to the IAF, according to defence sources.

The Israeli company has committed to ensuring around 30 per cent Made-in-India content through offset obligations under the agreement. The tender, which began several years ago, initially saw participation from Russian and European firms, but IAI remained the only contender meeting all requirements, including the clause mandating 3–30 per cent indigenous content for second-hand aircraft.

The IAF currently operates a fleet of six Russian-origin Il-78 tankers, based in Agra, which support refuelling operations for various fighter aircraft of the Air Force and Navy.

Over the past 15 years, the IAF has made multiple unsuccessful attempts to procure additional tankers due to procurement hurdles and budgetary constraints. Although it recently wet-leased a tanker aircraft, the force continues to face a shortfall as it transitions to newer fleets capable of extended missions through mid-air refuelling.

Infrastructure Transport

01 Jun 2026

MMRDA advances 250 m on Orange Gate–Marine Drive tunnel

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has completed 250 m of underground tunnelling for the Orange Gate–Marine Drive Urban Road Tunnel using India’s largest slurry shield tunnel boring machine (TBM) deployed for an urban road project.The project involves twin tunnels extending over 7 km beneath critical transport corridors, including Central Railway, Western Railway and Metro Line 3. The work requires high-precision engineering to navigate densely developed urban infrastructure.Once completed, the tunnel is expected to reduce travel time between Orange Gate and Marin..

Hindustan Zinc Pays Rs 188.46 Billion in FY26

Hindustan Zinc contributed Rs 188.46 billion to the public exchequer in FY 2025-26, according to its 9th Tax Transparency Report. The contribution, equivalent to 46 per cent of the company’s revenue, included direct and indirect taxes, government royalties, dividends to the Government of India, withholding taxes and other statutory levies.The company’s five-year cumulative contribution to the exchequer stood at Rs 915.72 billion. In FY26, Hindustan Zinc reported revenue of Rs 408.44 billion, EBITDA of Rs 221.62 billion and profit after tax of Rs 138.32 billion. It also achieved its highest..

World of Concrete India 2026 Opens in Mumbai

Informa Markets in India will host the 12th edition of World of Concrete India 2026 from 3–5 June 2026 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. The specialised B2B exhibition will bring together manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, developers, architects, consultants, infrastructure companies, project leaders and government stakeholders.The event is expected to feature over 350 brands and more than 18,000 trade professionals. It will cover concrete and cement, dry mortar, precast technologies, formwork, construction chemicals, industrial and commercial flooring, scaffolding, safety solutio..