India Moves to Develop Indigenous Air-to-Air Refuelling Pods

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has invited bids under its Technology Development Fund (TDF) for the development of an indigenous Air-to-Air Refuelling Pod (AARP), marking another step in India's efforts to strengthen domestic defence technology and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers for critical aerospace systems. The tender was issued on September 2, 2026, and interested companies have been given until October 20, 2026, to submit their proposals. A pre-bid meeting is scheduled to take place on September 24, allowing participating firms to seek clarification on the technical and procedural requirements before submitting their bids.

The proposed refuelling pod is being designed as a modular system capable of supporting multiple aircraft during airborne refuelling operations. Under the planned configuration, a tanker aircraft could carry as many as three pods, with two positioned under the wings and an optional third unit mounted on the fuselage. The system will draw fuel from the aircraft's internal tanks, while a dedicated operator will control the refuelling process from a central station inside the tanker.

According to the technical requirements in the tender, the system is expected to operate at altitudes between 10,000 and 40,000 feet. It will also be required to achieve a fuel-transfer rate of up to 2,000 US gallons per minute. The proposed system will use the hose-and-drogue method of aerial refuelling, potentially allowing it to work with aircraft already operated by the Indian Air Force, including the Russian-origin Ilyushin Il-78 MARS tanker fleet.

The development of an indigenous refuelling pod could also give the Indian Air Force greater flexibility in expanding its aerial refuelling capabilities. If the technology is successfully developed and integrated, larger transport aircraft such as the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III and Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules could potentially be evaluated for auxiliary tanker roles. Future medium transport aircraft could also become candidates for such adaptations, although any conversion would require detailed engineering, testing and certification.

An expanded pool of refuelling-capable aircraft could be particularly useful during extended military operations. Additional tanker platforms would allow fighter aircraft to remain airborne for longer periods and could support missions operating far from their home bases. At the same time, such conversions would be a complex undertaking and should not be interpreted as an immediate plan to turn the entire transport fleet into tanker aircraft.

The DRDO initiative is also consistent with India's wider push for self-reliance in defence production. Developing the refuelling pod within the country could reduce reliance on overseas original equipment manufacturers for sensitive aviation technology while creating opportunities for Indian defence companies, start-ups and research organisations to participate in a strategically important aerospace programme. The project also complements other efforts to increase India's aerial refuelling capacity, including proposals involving the conversion of commercial aircraft into tanker platforms. Unlike such conversion-based programmes, the AARP initiative focuses on developing the core refuelling pod technology domestically.

The tender process, which began on September 2, will remain open until October 20, 2026. The September 24 pre-bid meeting is expected to provide prospective bidders with an opportunity to clarify the requirements before finalising their proposals. If successfully developed and integrated, the indigenous Air-to-Air Refuelling Pod could become an important capability for the Indian Air Force, offering greater operational flexibility while strengthening India's domestic aerospace and defence technology base.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Indian Defence News.