Indonesian Aero News

[Ananda]

there's a potential three way deal there, ending up with Garuda getting three new A330-900 & TNI-AU the three used A330-200, overhauled & converted to MRTT by Airbus.

From what I gather and heard the rumours, this is what Airbus try to offer. New A330-900 Neo for Garuda while Airbus Military take over A300-200 of Garuda to convert to MRTT. The calculation of pricing and financing package will determine the winner. So far the talk of MRTT is circle around A400M. All three are mostly in 15+ years old. Thus converting to MRTT should at least in theory give another 2 decades more live. Looking on how long USAF maintain their KC-135, it could be longer.

Garuda have 5 + 9 order for A330-900, and so far they seems want also to maintain A330-300. Thus their A330-200 from what I heard from market analyst in here, is not part of Fleet they want to maintain. Logically should be sold to Government as part of financial packages to help Garuda which still in financial recoveries. Well if they follow logic anyway.

 

[Arji]

From what I know from work, Garuda's A330-200s is a leased aircraft and they're in the process of returning it to the lessor. So I'm not sure how they can be transferred to TNI-AU.

 

[Ananda]

I saw the list of Garuda owned plane consist of A330-200 and A330-300 from the batch procured in 2010-2014 (during Emirsyah Satar management). Noted there is also list that shown the ones that owned by Garuda is all A330-300.

If those A330-200 is part of leased fleet (again this is if as there are conflicting report on this), it is still can be bought by Government if they want to take it for MRTT convertion. Either way, Government need to buy it first, either to Garuda (if owned) or Lessor (if leased). Most A330 MRTT are coming from convert process of used ex Airlines A330-200, and taking ex Garuda fleet means the planes already have maintenance record in Indonesia.

Rumours now talk about Airbus MRTT lobby got challenge from lobby of used IL-78. As usual this rumours get over blow circulation from Frenchie Salesman and his followers. There's no surprises in here as TNI-AU and MinDef do looking for A-330MRTT, KC-76 or 767MRTT convertion and IL-78 (used or new) as part of options calculations.

 

[koxinga]

India has chosen to replace their IL-78s with KC-767s. But since this option comes from IAI Bedek, it will not be an option for Indonesia. Boeing is focusing on KC-46 which will be far more expensive

A330 MRTT seems the only politically acceptable and affordable choice.

 

[Ananda]

A330 MRTT seems the only politically acceptable and affordable choice.

A330 MRTT will be the most logical choice, but most affordable will be IL-78. This is what I gather the massage that both side marketing lobby try to negotiate with MinDef. Politically both choices now have their own backers.

 

[koxinga]

Affordable from an initial acquisition cost, sure but does TNI-AU look into total lifecycle cost as well as availability figures?

The Indians suffered low availability due to inability of Russia to support and this also came with higher operating cost (low MTBF).

A civilian platform like the Airbus can leverage on existing in country facilities for MRO, lowering cost, while there is nothing for the IL.

 

[Ananda]

Affordable from an initial acquisition cost, sure but does TNI-AU look into total lifecycle cost as well as availability figures?

Well that's why I said, the A330 MRTT is the most logical choices. On other hand this is sales lobby with each have their own political backing. The TNI-AU studies on MRTT few years back that already shown to media put First place to KC-46, Second place to A330 MRTT and third place to IL-78.

Like you say, KC-46 is just too expensive, and converted 767 is not going to be provided by Boeing while Badek choice is no-no for Indonesia. So it is left to A330 MRTT and IL-78, and base on their (TNI-AU) own study should be A330 MRTT as most logical choice left. Still this is Indonesia, and 'politics' lobby do play in the end as balance tip. Will see whose lobby that tip the scale in the end. Airbus afterall do have long experience playing on Indonesia market. Still nothing devinite untill first DP being made.

 

[swerve]

... Most A330 MRTT are coming from convert process of used ex Airlines A330-200, ..

IIRC the A330 neo based MRTT (A330 MRTT+) isn't yet fully developed, & A330-200 production has ended, so anyone wanting early delivery of A330 MRTT recently has had to buy converted secondhand A330-200. If anyone knows better please say. I'm not completely sure of that.

Thailand ordered an A330 MRTT+ last year, & delivery is expected in 2029, according to Airbus. Airbus has said the difference is small enough that it doesn't need a prototype: the risk is low enough that the first customer aircraft can be the prototype.