Tel Aviv: Boeing has been awarded a $927 million contract for four multi-mission KC-46A tankers for the Israel Air Force (IAF) through the US Foreign Military Sales process. The KC-46 will replace Israel’s fleet of Re’em Boeing 707 tankers, with first deliveries expected to begin in 2025.
“This contract further strengthens the US-Israel alliance and continues the decades-long relationship between Boeing and the Israeli Air Force,” said Ido Nehushtan, president of Boeing Israel. “The KC-46A will benefit Israel’s efforts to ensure national security and regional stability.”
In March 2020, the US government approved the Foreign Military Sale to Israel of eight KC-46 tankers. Israel signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) for two aircraft in February 2021 and amended LOA for two more KC-46 tankers in December 2021.
The KC-46 provides the ability to refuel Israeli and allied military aircraft, and relay data and enable rapid mobility for personnel, cargo and aeromedical missions. The platform features multiple layers of combat-ready defensive systems and countermeasures, including covert capabilities, to detect, avoid, defeat and survive threats.
“The KC-46A delivers unmatched aerial refuelling and transportation capability for the fleet, as well as seamless, secure data connectivity shielded with combat-ready defensive systems,” said James Burgess, Boeing vice president and KC-46 program manager.
Under the contract, Boeing will also provide tanker services support, maintenance and repairs, logistics and fleet spares ensuring mission readiness for the IAF fleet.
As the KC-46A fleet grows globally, there are now more KC-46As in operation than any tanker except the Boeing-built KC-135. The US Air Force operates 62 KC-46A tankers and is currently slated for 179. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force operates two of the multi-mission Pegasus aerial refuellers, with a total of four on contract.
The proven KC-46A has flown more than 10,000 sorties globally and is delivering millions of pounds of fuel every month to US and allied receivers in operation around the world.
Boeing builds KC-46A aircraft on the 767 production line in Everett, Wash., for the Israel Air Force as well as the US Air Force and allies. As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defence products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
