JURESALEM, May 4: Israel is set to receive the first batch of its new Boeing KC-46 Pegasus tanker aircraft within weeks, marking a significant step in expanding its long-range strike capabilities.
According to Israel’s Defence Ministry, the aircraft has already completed its maiden test flight in the United States and is expected to be delivered in about a month. It is the first of at least six tankers ordered as part of a broader military modernisation programme.
The arrival of the KC-46 – known in Israel as “Gideon” – is expected to transform how the Israeli Air Force operates over long distances. With targets such as Iran and Yemen sitting 1,500 – 2,000km away, aerial refuelling has long been a limiting factor.
Until now, Israel has had refuelling capability, but only on a relatively small scale. That has meant tighter mission windows, fewer target options and less flexibility if something goes wrong mid-operation.
The new aircraft changes that calculation. It will allow Israeli jets – including F-35s, F-15s and F-16s – to stay airborne longer, strike deeper and operate with greater independence, even without direct US support.
That independence has been a key concern for Israeli planners. While recent operations against Iran involved some level of American backing, officials have long assumed that future administrations in Washington may be less willing to assist – or could even oppose such strikes.
The KC-46, with a range of up to 16 hours of flight time – extendable to 24 hours with additional refuelling – offers a way around those constraints. Its modern avionics and glass cockpit also give pilots improved situational awareness during complex missions.
Beyond combat roles, the aircraft brings added versatility. It can carry around 110 personnel, support medical evacuation missions and operate as a multi-role transport platform, equipped with onboard facilities including a kitchen and medical support systems.
The tanker acquisition forms part of a wider defence build-up worth hundreds of billions of shekels over the coming decade, which also includes additional fighter jets and upgraded strike capabilities.
(UNI)
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