Tel Aviv: The first Boeing KC-46A aerial refuelling aircraft landed on May 27 at the Israeli Air Force (IAF) Nevatim air base. This aircraft is the first of six-tanker aircraft procured by the Israel Ministry of Defence (IMOD) Mission to the US, and joins a wide-scale force buildup programme managed by the IMOD on behalf of the IDF.
The tanker aircraft – designated “Gideon” in Hebrew – will be equipped with Israeli systems and adapted to the operational requirements of the Israeli Air Force, enabling it to extend operational range and maintain air superiority across all theatres.
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.
Now the KC-46 A will be equipped with special Israeli developed systems that are aimed at protecting the aircraft and allow it to integrate in the structure of the IAF’s comprehensive combat system in different aspects.
The IAF is now using old Boeing 707 aircraft that have been converted to serve as aerial refuelling aircraft.
-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
