TEL AVIV -- The Israeli military is moving closer to placing an order for new tanker aircraft to renew the Air Force's fleet.
IsraelDefense magazine reported June 19 that the Israeli government has submitted a Letter of Request (LoR) for the purchase of two Boeing KC-46 in-air refueling tanker aircraft. The request indicates an option for an additional six, the publication noted.
A contract has not yet been signed. Israel has been known to be examining a possible buy of either the KC-46 or Lockheed Martin's Multi-Role Tanker Transport, based on the Airbus A330. Several publications, including IsraelDefense, reported in April 2019 that the government was preparing to move forward with an LoR for the Boeing aircraft.
Assuming Israel purchases the KC-46s, the first of the two could be delivered in either 2022 or 2023.
In addition to new tanker aircraft, Israel is in the process of evaluating new purchases of fighter aircraft as well as transport helicopters. It is examining options produced by Boeing and Lockheed Martin, and could complete decisions on these in the coming months.