New Delhi: In a landmark development for military cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, India, and Australia have signed an agreement that facilitates air-to-air refueling between their respective armed forces. This arrangement was disclosed during a high-level meeting between Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Australian counterpart, Pat Conroy, at the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus held in Vientiane, Laos.
Under the new pact, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) will utilize its KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft to refuel Indian military jets. This capability is a significant enhancement for both nations’ air forces, allowing for extended operational ranges and endurance, critical for missions in the vast Indo-Pacific theater.
Details of the Agreement:
- Enhanced Interoperability: The agreement aims to elevate the level of interoperability between the Indian Air Force and the RAAF. This is not just a technical upgrade but a strategic alignment to address common security challenges in the region.
- First Steps: The immediate beneficiary of this pact will be the Indian Navy’s P-8I Neptune surveillance aircraft, which will gain the ability to extend its reach through refueling by the KC-30A, enhancing India’s maritime surveillance capabilities.
Glad to have met the Australian Defence Minister Mr. Pat Conroy on the sidelines of ADMM Plus. Our defence partnership has achieved significant milestones in the recent years. We look forward to take our defence engagements to a higher level. pic.twitter.com/l966DxlZ9i
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) November 21, 2024
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed optimism about the future of India-Australia defence relations, stating, “This pact is a testament to our shared vision for a stable, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.” Pat Conroy described the agreement as a “significant step forward” in the defence relationship, emphasizing, “India is a top-tier security partner for Australia, and this arrangement will contribute directly to regional stability.”
This agreement opens avenues for further military collaboration, including joint training exercises, intelligence sharing, and potentially, more comprehensive defence industry cooperation. It’s part of a series of steps taken by both countries to strengthen their strategic partnership, which has been on an upward trajectory since the establishment of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2020.