Australia’s Defence Industry Minister, Pat Conroy, and India’s Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, have signed an agreement allowing the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and India’s armed forces to conduct air-to-air refuelling.
The agreement permits RAAF’s KC-30A tanker aircraft to refuel Indian military planes that enter airspace near Australia.
However, it is unclear if Australian aircraft will receive the same privilege when flying over the eastern Indian Ocean.
Currently, the Indian Air Force (IAF) relies on older Illyushin tanker planes, which may not be fully compatible with Australia’s modern fighter jets.
The RAAF frequently trains and collaborates with Indian Navy P-8I Poseidon surveillance aircraft.
This agreement marks the first step towards using KC-30A tankers to refuel the P-8I, which would enhance India’s operational range and capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.
