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Israel finally bolsters refueling fleet enough for airstrikes on Iran
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[link to www.aviationweek.com]
Israel Bolsters KC-707 Refueling Fleet
With the threat of a conflict with Iran looming, the Israeli air force has augmented its fleet of KC-707 (“Re’em”) aerial refueling aircraft with an eighth tanker, bolstering the strike capacity the country would have if it tries to undertake a raid on Teheran’s nuclear facilities.
The $23-million contract to reconfigure the aircraft was awarded to Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in late 2008, as part of a strategic effort to rapidly enhance the country’s long-range strike capabilities.
“Many of the air force’s current missions require extended range and that means more fuel,” Lt. Col. Amir, commander of the IAF’s 120 “International” squadron told Aviation Week Space Technology (for security reasons, Israel does not release last names of operational personnel). Refusing to discuss specific strike scenarios, he added: “I can gladly say that as an organization we have come to a point where we are ready to perform any mission in any range within a very short notice.”
Iran’s nuclear facilities and the conflict such a strike would likely unleash have become the IAF’s primary mission in recent years. As such, IAF fighter squadrons are constantly training in aerial refueling scenarios.
For the last two decades, Israel has been developing its strategic arm by procuring fighter aircraft with long-range strike capabilities, such as the F‑15I and F-16I. Last year, it also qualified its two squadrons of F-15A/B/C/D air-superiority aircraft to carry out ground-attack missions. However, notes Amir, “aerial refueling will allow any fighter, regardless of its range, to carry more munitions instead of fuel.”
An attack is coming. All is in place.
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