India cancels $1.5 billion mid air refueling aircraft deal which had EADS Airbus as top contender: Reports

India has reportedly canceled a tender to buy six new mid-air refueling aircraft for fighter jets in which the EADS Airbus A-330 MRTT (multi-role tanker transport) was a top contender. ‘‘The RFP (request for proposal) will be re-floated and will go to EADS, Boeing (US) and Ilyushin (Russian), among others, for a global competition now,’’ an unnamed Indian defence ministry official was quoted by a leading Indian newspaper. Indian Defence minister A K Antony had told Parliament last month that the finance ministry had ‘‘expressed certain reservations relating to the competitiveness of the bids and the reasonableness of the price’’ for the MRTT tender. IAF had selected the Airbus A-330 MRTT (multi-role tanker transport) aircraft of EADS with only the contract to be signed. This is the second time unlucky for EADS in India during the last one year. In mid 2009, it had lost a contract to supply India Eurocopter helicopters worth $1 billion after being ahead in a MOD competition to supply attack helicopters. In that case too, the tender was re-floated after a EADS Eurocopter reportedly brought did not meet some of the testing criteria.