The Israel Air Force is set to receive a next-generation aerial refueling aircraft, the KC-46, the IDF said Wednesday.
Since the beginning of the IDF's attacks on Iran as part of Operation Rising Lion, dozens of Israeli fighter jets in the IAF's 120th Squadron have conducted sorties and performed over 600 aerial refueling missions in the skies of the Middle East.
These aerial refueling missions are crucial for the Air Force's operations in Iran, enabling the continued maintenance of aerial superiority in the region, according to the military.
The refueling aircraft are capable of long-range flights, precise refueling in a wide range of scenarios, and complex coordination with strike squadrons.
Each aircraft carries tens of tons of fuel, refueling mid-air in hazardous zones, enabling continuous strikes and access to distant targets.
IDF's current refueling planes are over 50 years old
The refueling planes are over 50 years old, and their ongoing operation has been made possible by a skilled technical team that has been working around the clock since the start of the war.
Aerial refueling has become a crucial part of Israel’s deterrence and response capabilities, particularly in fighting distant threats in Iran and Yemen.