January 20, 2014: A long-fought contract award could be in sight for EADS, now in its spanking new avatar Airbus Group, with the Indian Government likely to sign on the dotted like, finally, for six A330 multi-role tanker transports (MRTT) for the Indian Air Force.

SP's can confirm that with all documentation, negotiations and scrutiny from the Finance Ministry complete, the only thing remaining to be done it to tie up the paperwork, which could be done by the end of February. The company was recently asked to extend the validity of its commercial bid to July 31, 2014. A contract before the elections is possible, say sources. The Airbus Military A330 MRTT is the only new generation strategic tankerflying and available today.

The IAF chose the jet in January last year in a competition that saw it square off against the in-service Russian Il-78M. The A330 MRTT for the IAF comes with a pair of under-wing hose and drogue pods, and or a third Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU). As demonstrated to the IAF during trials, the A330 MRTT can also be used as a pure transport aircraft able to carry 300 troops, or a payload of up to 45 tonnes. It can also easily be converted to accommodate up to 130 stretchers for medical evacuation (MEDEVAC). Till date, a total of 28 A330 MRTTs have been ordered by four customers: Australia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.