Yedioth Ahronoth: Israel Strengthens Its Fleet with Two Aerial Refueling Aircraft

SadaNews - The Walla/Yedioth Ahronoth website reported that the Israeli Ministry of Defense announced the signing of a new deal with Boeing to purchase two additional "KC-46" aircraft designated for aerial refueling, expanding its future fleet to 6 aircraft.

The website stated that this step aims to enable the Israeli Air Force to carry out long-range operations with greater capability deep within Iranian territory, and to reduce the duration of potential combat rounds with Tehran.

It explained that the decision came amid increasing estimates in Israel that a new round of confrontation with Iran is imminent, possibly beginning with a surprise strike from Tehran itself.

It added that the Director General of the Ministry of Defense, Major General (Res.) Amir Baram, directed the military procurement mission in the United States to finalize the deal with Boeing, adding to 4 aircraft that had previously been contracted and are currently being manufactured in Seattle.

Iran and Yemen

It clarified that this step means doubling the Israeli Air Force's capability to operate in what is termed the "third circle", referring to distant operational theaters such as Iran and Yemen.

Until now, Israel has relied on an old fleet of "Ram" aircraft (modified Boeing 707) that are over 60 years old, which was supposed to be replaced more than a decade ago, but political disagreements and financial crises delayed the modernization.

The first "KC-46" aircraft is expected to arrive in Israel within the next six months, while the remaining aircraft will be delivered gradually until 2030. It is likely that the old aircraft will remain in service for several more years to support the new fleet and provide additional flexibility.

The Largest in the Air Force

The new aircraft, as mentioned by Walla, which will carry the name "Gideon", will be the largest in the Israeli Air Force and will be equipped with locally manufactured operating systems.

The estimated value of the new deal is about 500 million dollars, which will be financed through U.S. military aid. Thus, Israel will become the first country in the Middle East to operate "KC-46" aircraft, which are considered the backbone of aerial refueling operations in the U.S. Air Force.

Announcement

It is noted that these aircraft are equipped with faster and more advanced refueling systems, capable of refueling all types of fighters and even similar aircraft through a technologically advanced refueling arm, according to the site.

Israeli Air Force leaders: the need for refueling aircraft has become more urgent in the last two years as the conflict has shifted from "shadow wars" to open confrontations.

Living in the Sky of Iran

Walla reported that recommendations from Israeli Air Force leaders to increase the number of refueling aircraft preceded the direct confrontations with Iran, but the need became more pressing in the last two years as the conflict transitioned from "shadow wars" to open confrontations.

With 6 "KC-46" aircraft alongside the "Ram" fleet, Air Force leaders expect to maintain a near-permanent aerial presence over Iran, akin to "living in the skies of Iran", exerting continuous air pressure on Tehran.

This is believed to enable Israel to reduce the duration of combat rounds; battles that used to last a week can now be compressed into a few days while reducing risks to the aircraft.

Walla reported a source in the Air Force stating that they conducted about 3,500 airstrikes in Iran last June over a two-week period, "In the future, we could achieve the same number in a week or less thanks to the new aircraft."

Source: Yedioth Ahronoth