Australia, India Fortify Defense Alliance with Historic Air Refueling Pact
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Australia and India have sealed a groundbreaking air refueling agreement, elevating their defense partnership to new heights.
The landmark pact enables the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) KC-30A tanker to refuel Indian Armed Forces aircraft, amplifying their operational capabilities and interoperability.
Ministers Pat Conroy and Rajnath Singh announced the deal, while Deputy Chief of Air Force Air Vice-Marshal Harvey Reynolds signed it in New Delhi.
“This agreement solidifies our defense relationship with India, a vital partner in promoting regional stability,” Air Vice-Marshal Reynolds stated.
The Royal Australian Air Force has been actively engaging in training and joint activities with the Indian Navy’s P-8I Neptune surveillance aircraft, fostering a strong partnership between the two nations. This collaboration has been taken to the next level with the signing of a landmark arrangement, paving the way for the KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport to refuel the P-8I, thereby expanding India’s operational reach and persistence in the Indo-Pacific region
This historic agreement sets the stage for further defense collaborations, cementing the Australia-India partnership as a cornerstone of Indo-Pacific stability.