ALBAWABA - In a move reflecting Israel’s ongoing military preparations for long-range confrontation scenarios, the United States has handed over a refuling plane to the Israeli Army.
Sources revealed that the Israeli Air Force received its first Boeing KC-46 Pegasus aerial refueling tanker after years of waiting and delays. The delivery is part of a deal for six aircraft aimed at bolstering Israel's operational capabilities in the Middle East.
The new jet is among the most advanced refueling platforms in the world, granting Israeli fighter jets a significant advantage in conducting extended-range operations without complete reliance on external bases or logistical support.
Israeli Air Force pilots fly an F-15D Eagle fighter jet during a rehearsal for the upcoming Independence Day air show in Tel Aviv on April 24, 2023. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP)
The new addition gives the Israeli Army a great push forward in its military abilities in case of any potential regional confrontation, particularly with Iran.
The delivery of the aircraft comes at a time of rapid political and military activity in the region, amid ongoing indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran over the nuclear issue, and escalating Israeli concerns about the possibility of a US-Iranian agreement that fails to meet Israeli demands.
The Israeli military said the new aircraft will expand the scope of its air operations and maintain Israeli air superiority, while several local media outlets have described it as a "game changer" due to its ability to carry out long-range strikes more independently.
