Greece to purchase Embraer's KC-390 aircraft, significant for Indian Air Force

According to a report by The Times of India, Greece has officially signed an agreement to purchase three KC-390 aircraft from the Embraer company. This significant decision by Greece is linked to the objective of complete modernisation of its aerial fleet.

The primary purpose of this agreement is to make the Hellenic Air Force's airlift and refuelling capabilities more robust and effective. The addition of these new aircraft will significantly increase Greece's aerial capabilities. Along with this, this agreement also clearly outlines Greece's strong commitment towards NATO's interoperability and cooperation with partner nations.

On the other hand, India is also striving to make similar reforms in its defence sector. The Indian Air Force is searching for medium transport aircraft to replace its ageing fleet of aircraft. This process is extremely important for India as its old aircraft now need to be replaced and it is moving towards a modern fleet.

The cost of this potential deal for the Indian Air Force could be approximately ₹1 lakh crore. When India selects these new aircraft, it will primarily pay special attention to payload capacity. In addition, how the aircraft performs in various types of terrains will also be among the main criteria for selection.

As Embraer's aircraft have been selected by Greece, it could serve as an important indicator for India's upcoming procurement process. India wants to select the best option keeping in view its strategic requirements and various geographical conditions so that its defence capability can be enhanced and the old fleet can be successfully replaced.