DRDO initiates development of indigenous air-to-air refuelling pods

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has issued a Request for Proposal to develop an indigenous Air-to-Air Refuelling Pod (ARP) under its Technology Development Fund framework. The project aims to create a homegrown system to reduce reliance on foreign defence suppliers.

The proposed modular system is designed to use the hose-and-drogue method, ensuring compatibility with the Indian Air Force’s current fleet and existing Russian-origin Ilyushin Il-78 tankers. The pods are expected to deliver a fuel transfer rate of up to 2,000 US gallons (approximately 7,570 litres) per minute.

Technical specifications require the system to operate at altitudes between 3,000 and 12,200 metres. The design will feature electromechanical drives for hose deployment, advanced electronic monitoring for real-time parameter tracking, and redundancy through backup power supplies. This technology could allow the conversion of heavy-lift transport aircraft, such as the Boeing C-17 Globemaster or Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules, into auxiliary refuellers.