In a stunning turn of events, it appears that the Obama administration has finally eased restrictions on the supply and sale to Israel of the military aerial refueling and strategic transport aircraft, KC-46.
The Defense News website has reported that the KC-46 is a militarized version of Boeing’s 767 commercial jet, and its refueling rate is approximately 4,500 liters per minute. The US military is reportedly planning on purchasing 179 such planes.
Thus far, the White House has harbored serious concerns that sale of certain aircraft to Israel would be used for a possible strike on Iranian nuclear facilities. The Walla news service has quoted unnamed military sources in Israel who have explained that the sale of the planes to Israel could not have been approved before the United States signed the agreement with Iran. They add Israel is expected to sign an official deal with America for the Pegasus by year’s end and the first planes would be arriving in Israel in 2019.
Currently, Israel has expressed its interest in acquiring two KC-46 planes as they begin the process of phasing out the IAF’s antiquated fleet of refueling planes that carry very high maintenance costs due to their age.
Although the cost of each KC-46 is around $188 million, Israel will have to pay around $250 million for each tanker after having it modified with Israeli equipment.
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Nothing is more important than benefiting from a worldwide arms race to this government and its military leadership.
David DeGerolamo
