India, Australia sign air-to-air refuelling arrangement for military aircraft

In a significant step in air interoperability, Indian and Australian Air Forces have agreed on air-to-air refuelling. Under this arrangement, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)'s air-to-air refuelling aircraft, the KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, will be able to refuel Indian Armed Forces aircraft. The arrangement was signed during Australia-India Air Staff Talks in New Delhi earlier on Thursday.

Australia's Deputy Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Harvey Reynolds, said in a statement, "This arrangement is a significant step forward in our relationship with India, and will provide valuable opportunities for our personnel to work closely together, share knowledge and expertise, and build trust and understanding."

This is the first such known arrangement India has with any country regarding air-to-air refuelling. There have been cases of mid-air refuelling involving foreign forces, but that is usually during air exercises. The development increases the range and endurance of Indian, and Australian militaries, enhances the shared picture of the Indian Ocean, and supports each other’s deployments and exercises across the Indo-Pacific. 

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Vice-Marshal Harvey Reynolds pointed out, "India is a top-tier security partner for Australia, and through our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership we are continuing to prioritise practical and tangible cooperation that directly contributes to Indo-Pacific stability." 

Since Australian forces have been training with the Indian Navy P-8I Neptune surveillance aircraft. In the future, RAAF’s KC-30A can refuel the Indian Navy surveillance aircraft, which increases its reach and persistence in the Indo-Pacific region. The development builds on increased Indian and Australian air force engagements over the past few months, which include the Indian Air Force participating in Australia's Exercise Pitch Black for the third time and Australia sending combat aircraft to India for the first time to participate in India’s inaugural multilateral air exercise, Tarang Shakti. 

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Meanwhile in Laos, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence minister plus (ADMM +) meet, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met Australia's Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, Pat Conroy. Earlier this week, at the 2nd India, Australia summit in Brazil, Indian PM Narendra Modi and Australia's PM Anthony Albanese agreed to renew the Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation in 2025.