Israel said to rethink US refueling tanker plane deal after successful strikes on Iran

Last month’s successful Israeli aerial strikes on Iran have led some officials in the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to push to reconsider the country’s reliance on foreign suppliers for aerial refueling planes, Ynet News reported.

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has long urged the government to acquire additional American-made KC-46 tanker aircraft – a procurement expected to cost over NIS 10 billion (around $3 billion USD).

However, IAI has proposed an alternative: converting Boeing 767 planes domestically, a move that would be more cost-effective and reduce Jerusalem’s dependence on foreign military platforms.

The IAF is widely considered one of the world’s most capable air forces. It has historically focused on aerial missions closer to Israel’s borders. However, the Iranian regime’s call for Israel’s destruction has pushed the Israeli Air Force to extend its operational range for targets located some 2,000 kilometers (over 1,200 miles) from Israel’s borders in distant Iran and Yemen. 

Refueling planes have therefore become critical components for these long-distance missions. In 2022, Israel purchased 4 American-produced in-air refueling planes, known as KC-46s. While considered advanced, Israel is only scheduled to receive these refueling platforms in 2026. 

Instead, Israel’s ageing fleet of domestically refitted “Re’em” 707 tanker aircraft turned out to be critical and reliable components behind the IAF's military success during the 12 days of war with Iran. Despite being some 60 years old, these refueling platforms enabled some 700 refueling sorties for Israeli fighter jet planes during last month’s historic Operation Rising Lion. 

“These aircraft were built for exactly this mission,” said Senior Master Sgt. R who serves as a maintenance specialist in the air force’s Squadron 120. 

“There are so many dials in the cockpit, and the entire aircraft is mechanical – cables and levers just like they were 60 years ago,” R. continued. “Only the electronics and computing systems have been upgraded."

While previously considered by some as obsolete, Israel’s refitted Boeing 707 fleet proved to be very capable during Israel’s unprecedented aerial campaign against Iran’s nuclear and military assets. More specifically, these aging refueling planes secured Israel’s critical aerial superiority in Iranian airspace, including over its capital, Tehran. 

A full transition to American-made refueling planes would be very expensive. Furthermore, some Israeli officials are concerned that such a move would also mean that the Jewish state would eventually lose the current domestic strategic capability of aerial refueling, which has been preserved through local development and maintenance work. 

“All past decisions on this issue need to be reexamined,” a senior IAI official told the Israeli business and tech news outlet Calcalist.

“Any new plan must guarantee the Air Force’s maximum operational freedom in distant theaters, without the risk of political pressure neutralizing Israel’s long-range strike capabilities."

Two weeks ago, senior IAI officials briefed Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on the domestic company’s proposal to provide some of the air force’s future refueling needs. Three years ago, the Israeli Defense Ministry rejected a similar plan. 

However, following the Hamas Oct. 7 massacre in 2023, there have been growing international calls to boycott Israel. The Jewish state and the Israeli military have therefore internalized that the country needs to reduce its reliance on international and even U.S. military suppliers.

This can only be achieved by preserving and developing domestic military capabilities, including the strategic refueling capability. The IAI is therefore cautiously optimistic that the Israeli Air Force and the Israeli Defense Ministry will “change course” given the complex and challenging post-Oct. 7 reality that Israel faces.