As Prime Minister Narendra Modi leaves for Israel, NDTV can confirm that the next big defence deal between New Delhi and Tel Aviv is likely to be for six mid-air refuelling aircraft for the Indian Air Force. This deal, sources have said, will involve an Israeli government-owned corporation partnering with India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to convert six second-hand Boeing 767 passenger jets into military refuelling aircraft for the Indian Air Force. The Rs 8,000-crore deal is crucial since the Indian Air Force has long required tanker jets and has been forced to rely on leased aircraft as a backup. This deal, sources have said, is still being negotiated and is likely to be signed sometime in 2026. This deal would be significant if it eventually goes through. The Indian Air Force is currently dependent on six old Russian-made IL-78 tanker aircraft and has failed to procure new tankers for two decades now.