New Delhi, Sept 18: For the first time in the country, people in the capital would be able to view the spectacular scene of a mid-air refuelling during the air force day parade on October 8. Indian Air Force would unveil its newest prized acquisition, the first of its proposed fleet of six giant IL-78 mid-air refuellers on the day at Indira Gandhi Airport.

In a high drama to be enacted in the sky, the IL-78 would carry out mid-air replenishment of two of IAF frontline su-30mki fighters, according to IAF sources here.

Though the IAF have conducted numerous mid-air refuelling sorties with the IL-78 and also with French air tankers overs Gwalior during recent Indo-French air exercises, this would be for the first timer the mid-air refuellers would on public view.
The IL-78s, six of which are to be inducted into the IAF by 2006 from Uzbekistan, have given the Indian Air Force a strategic reach capability, so far available with advanced countries like the US, UK, Russia, France, Israel and some others.

The IAF is organsing a big flypast on the occasion with frontline fighters like the SU-30mki, Mirage 2000, MiG-29 and jaguars taking part along with the transport and helicopter fleet

Bureau Report