Refueling aircraft allow fighters and bombers to extend their range in the air
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The Israeli Ministry of Defense announced a new step in the modernization of the Air Force: the acquisition of two KC-46 tanker aircraft manufactured by Boeing, which will be added to the four previously ordered.
With this purchase, the Israeli Air Force's (IAF, by its English acronym) aerial refueling fleet will reach a total of six units, as part of an agreement backed by the United States government and financed through U.S. military aid.
The operation, estimated at about 500 million dollars, is pending final approval from the Ministerial Committee for Defense Procurement.
The first two KC-46s are expected to arrive in 2026, with the following ones at later dates, progressively replacing the veteran Boeing 707 "Re'em", aircraft with more than six decades of service adapted for refueling and strategic transport roles.
Boeing tanker aircraft
The Director General of the Ministry of Defense, Major General (res.) Amir Baram, emphasized the significance of the agreement: "The fifth and sixth tanker aircraft will strengthen the Air Force, the long-range strategic arm of the IDF, enabling it to reach distant theaters of operation with greater power and range. We will continue working to strengthen the IDF in the current campaign and in the face of future challenges."
Aerial refueling aircraft are considered strategic assets, as they allow fighters and bombers to extend their autonomy and remain airborne for long hours.
This capability is essential for operations in distant scenarios such as Iran or Yemen, and proved critical in past military campaigns where hundreds of refuelings were carried out over hostile territories.
The difference between the old Re'em and the modern KC-46 is substantial.
While the former were modified civilian aircraft, the new tankers offer advanced technological capabilities. The KC-46 can transfer 1,200 gallons of fuel per minute through a 17-meter (55.8 feet) fly-by-wire controlled refueling boom. In addition, with wing refueling pods, it can simultaneously service three fighter jets in just a few minutes.
With a range close to 12,000 kilometers (7,456 miles) and the capacity to carry more than 93 metric tons (205,030 pounds) of fuel, the KC-46 can keep dozens of aircraft airborne during prolonged operations, significantly increasing Israel's force projection.
The purchase is part of a framework agreement of approximately 930 million dollars that includes up to eight tanker aircraft, all equipped with systems adapted to Israel's specific needs.
The president of Boeing Israel, Major General (res.) Ido Nehushtan, highlighted the scope of this cooperation: "Boeing is proud of its long-standing relationship with Israel, which dates back to the founding of the State. The KC-46A will provide the Israeli Air Force with the world's most advanced multi-mission aerial refueling capability."
