Overview

• The follow-on buy would be executed with the U.S. government under the Foreign Military Sales framework once the Defense Procurement Ministerial Committee signs off.
• The two additional aircraft would bring Israel’s planned KC-46 fleet to six, building on four previously purchased jets.
• The ministry put the value at about $500 million and said U.S. military aid will finance the purchase, with the aircraft to carry Israeli systems.
• Accounts conflict on whether the first four KC-46s are already in service or still awaiting delivery, leaving the current fleet status uncertain.
• Israel’s legacy KC-707 and KC-130H tankers average about 50 years of age, and tanker operations were used during June’s 12-day air campaign against Iran.