급유기 인도, Il-78 공중급유기 대체할 767 기반 MRTT 도입

[위종민]

인도가 차기 공중급유기로 MRTT 6기를 도입하네요. 당연히 에어버스 기반이겠지 싶었는데, 767을 이스라엘 IAI가 개조한 물건이라고 합니다. 

인도의 MRTT 도입이 인도 공군의 장거리 공중전력 강화를 촉진할 전망
GlobalData는 인도가 향후 10년간 고정익 항공기에 약 826억 달러를 투자할 것으로 추산했다.

장굴룬 싱싯
2026년 1월 19일

미 육군의 LASSO 프로그램에 HERO-90 체공형 탄약이 참여할 예정이다. 출처: Niyazz/Shutterstock.com.

데이터 및 분석 기업 GlobalData에 따르면, 인도가 다목적 공중급유기(MRTT) 6대를 도입하기로 한 결정은 인도 공군(IAF)의 장거리 작전 능력을 크게 향상시킬 것으로 예상된다.

11억 달러 규모의 이번 도입은 이스라엘항공우주산업(IAI)이 힌두스탄 항공기 제작공사(HAL)와 협력해 담당하게 되며, 노후화된 Il-78MKI 기단을 대체할 예정이다.

GlobalData의 최신 수치에 따르면, 2003년에 도입된 Il-78MKI 급유기들은 현재 평균 22년 이상 운용 중이며, 라팔, Su-30MKI, 테자스 플랫폼을 포함한 최전선 항공기의 항속 지속성 및 상호운용성 요구를 더 이상 충족하지 못하고 있다.

이들 플랫폼이 유효한 작전 수명의 말기에 도달함에 따라, 새로운 급유기의 도입은 인도태평양과 같은 전략적 지역 전반에서 인도의 공중전력 투사 능력을 유지하는 데 필수적인 것으로 여겨지고 있다.

GlobalData 항공우주·방산 애널리스트 하르프리트 시두는 다음과 같이 말했다. “보잉 767 기반으로 개조된 MRTT를 선택한 것은 인도의 실용적이고 능력 중심적인 접근을 반영한다. 이제 20년을 넘긴 Il-78 기단은 현대 공중작전에서 요구되는 항속 지속성, 가용성, 상호운용성 수요를 충족하는 데 어려움을 겪어 왔다. 이를 현대적인 대안으로 교체하면 임무 대비태세가 향상되는 동시에 장기적인 유지 부담 위험을 줄일 수 있다.

항공기 자체는 외국산이지만, HAL의 구조화된 참여는 항공기 기단의 운용 수명 동안 국산 시스템 통합과 원활한 유지·보수·정비(MRO)를 가능하게 한다는 점에서 전략적으로 중요하다.”

GlobalData 전략 인텔리전스
미국의 관세 정책이 변화하고 있다 — 당신은 대응할 것인가, 예측할 것인가?
정책 변화에 방심하지 말고, 실시간 데이터와 전문가 분석으로 선제적으로 대응하라.

GlobalData 제공

전략 인텔리전스 더 알아보기
GlobalData의 시장 데이터는 인도가 향후 10년간 고정익 항공기에 약 826억 달러를 투자할 것으로 전망하고 있다.

회사는 이번 도입이 국경 밖 장거리 작전을 수행하기 위한 국가의 공중급유 능력을 향상시킬 것으로 예상하고 있다.

시두는 이어 “공중급유기는 최전선 전력이라기보다는 전력 증강 요소이지만, 공중전력 투사에 미치는 영향은 매우 크다. 이 능력을 현대화함으로써 인도는 유효 작전 범위와 항속 지속성, 억지력을 강화하게 되며, 이는 다른 최전선 항공 플랫폼들이 육상 국경에서 더 멀리 떨어진 적대적 공역에서도 임무를 수행할 수 있게 해준다”고 덧붙였다.

지난해 발표된 GlobalData 보고서에 따르면, 인도의 국방 지출은 지속적인 군 현대화의 일환으로 2026년부터 2030년까지 총 5,431억 달러에 이를 것으로 전망된다.

‘인도 국방 시장 규모와 동향, 예산 배분, 규제, 주요 도입 사업, 경쟁 구도 및 전망, 2025-30’이라는 제목의 이 보고서는 도입 지출이 전체 예상 규모의 31%를 차지할 것임을 시사하고 있다.

India’s MRTT procurement set to boost IAF long-range airpower

India’s MRTT procurement set to boost IAF long-range airpower

India’s MRTT procurement set to boost IAF long-range airpower  

GlobalData estimates that India will invest about $82.6bn in fixed-wing aircraft over the next decade.

Jangoulun SingsitJanuary 19, 2026

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The HERO-90 loitering munition will participate in the US Army’s LASSO program. Credit: Niyazz/Shutterstock.com.

India’s decision to procure six multirole aerial refuelling aircraft (MRTT) is anticipated to significantly improve the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) long-range operational capabilities, according to data and analytics firm GlobalData. 

The $1.1bn acquisition, to be handled by Israel Aerospace Industries in partnership with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), will replace the ageing Il-78MKI fleet. 

Current figures from GlobalData reveal that the Il-78MKI tankers, inducted in 2003, now average over 22 years in service and are no longer able to meet the endurance and interoperability needs of frontline aircraft, including the Rafale, Su-30MKI and Tejas platforms.  

As these platforms reach the end of their effective operational life, the introduction of new tankers is seen as essential for maintaining India’s airpower projection across strategic regions such as the Indo-Pacific. 

GlobalData Aerospace and Defence Analyst Harpreet Sidhu said: “The selection of a converted Boeing 767-based MRTT reflects a pragmatic and capability-driven approach by India. The Il-78 fleet, now over two decades old, has struggled to meet the endurance, availability, and interoperability demands of modern air operations. Replacing it with a modern alternative will improve mission readiness while reducing long-term sustainment risks. 

“While the aircraft itself is of foreign origin, the structured involvement of HAL is strategically important as it allows for integration of indigenous systems and seamless MRO during the operational lifespan of the aircraft fleet.” 

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GlobalData’s market data projects India will invest about $82.6bn in fixed-wing aircraft over the next decade.  

The company expects this acquisition to improve the nation’s air-to-air refuelling capability for undertaking long-range operations outside its borders.  

“Aerial refuelling aircraft are force multipliers rather than frontline platforms, but their impact on airpower projection is profound. By modernising this capability, India enhances the effective range, endurance, and deterrence as it allows other frontline aerial platforms to conduct missions over hostile airspaces that are further away from its terrestrial borders,” Sidhu added. 

According to a GlobalData report released last year, India’s defence expenditure is forecast to total $543.1bn between 2026 and 2030 as part of the country’s ongoing military modernisation.  

The report, titled India Defense Market Size and Trends, Budget Allocation, Regulations, Key Acquisitions, Competitive Landscape and Forecast, 2025-30, indicates that acquisition spending will represent 31% of the projected total. 

[백선호]

중고 767 싸게 사다가 개조했겠네요.

[위종민]

대당 거의 2억불인데, 공중급유 기능 외에 데이터링크, 통신중계같은 기능도 넣었을라나 모르겠네요.

[강준구]

MRTT가 우리가 아는 에어버스 MRTT가 아니네요.