Assessment: If Israel doesn't order refueling planes soon, it will have to wait even longer
The US Air Force has ordered an additional 15 KC-46A planes, the same number that Boeing plans to build during the entire year
Dan Arkin
| 25/01/2021
U.S. Air Force photo by Ethan Wagner -https://www.edwards.af.mil/News/Article/1758591/kc-46-pegasus-connects-with-fifth-generation-fighter/ - public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=76587473
Israel has already to agreed to acquire KC-46A refueling aircraft from Boeing, but the signing and ordering processes are lagging behind. There is concern that the dates of delivery will be delayed due to previous large orders. The US Air Force signed a contract (worth $2.1 billion) with Boeing for 15 more refueling planes, with a total of 94 planes ordered.
Sources in Israel told Israel Defense that the significance of such a sale for Israel is that the manufacturer, Boeing, will not have free slots for orders of planes for the IAF. Israel is requesting to speed up the supply, but has yet to sign an agreement. Boeing plans to manufacture 15 of the planes this year, the same number ordered by the US Air Force.
Boeing said that the new refueling plane will also support modern electronic warfare. The tanker built on the basis of a Boeing B767-2C is a multi-role plane designed for airborne refueling of US Air Force, allied and coalition aircraft. The plane is also built to carry civilians and/or soldiers, and transport injured or wounded in a configuration as a giant ambulance.
The US Air Force has ordered an additional 15 KC-46A planes, the same number that Boeing plans to build during the entire year
U.S. Air Force photo by Ethan Wagner -https://www.edwards.af.mil/News/Article/1758591/kc-46-pegasus-connects-with-fifth-generation-fighter/ - public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=76587473
Israel has already to agreed to acquire KC-46A refueling aircraft from Boeing, but the signing and ordering processes are lagging behind. There is concern that the dates of delivery will be delayed due to previous large orders. The US Air Force signed a contract (worth $2.1 billion) with Boeing for 15 more refueling planes, with a total of 94 planes ordered.
Sources in Israel told Israel Defense that the significance of such a sale for Israel is that the manufacturer, Boeing, will not have free slots for orders of planes for the IAF. Israel is requesting to speed up the supply, but has yet to sign an agreement. Boeing plans to manufacture 15 of the planes this year, the same number ordered by the US Air Force.
Boeing said that the new refueling plane will also support modern electronic warfare. The tanker built on the basis of a Boeing B767-2C is a multi-role plane designed for airborne refueling of US Air Force, allied and coalition aircraft. The plane is also built to carry civilians and/or soldiers, and transport injured or wounded in a configuration as a giant ambulance.
