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The Japan Air Self-Defense Force [JASDF] has been given the go-ahead by the United States to purchase nine KC-46A air refueling military aircraft, alongside additional equipment. This entire package is estimated to cost around $4.1 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency cleared the sale on September 13, following which Congress was notified. This acquisition means that Tokyo significantly enhances its capabilities for aerial refueling, thereby extending the operational range of its F-15 Eagle and F-35A/B fighters.
Besides the aircraft, the deal includes communication and navigation systems, various defense systems, spare parts, and comprehensive logistical support necessary for ongoing maintenance. With Japan already operating a fleet of four KC-46A tankers, this new purchase will bring their total to 13, substantially boosting Japan’s air mobility and refueling ability across the Indo-Pacific.
The KC-46A Pegasus is a versatile multi-role tanker designed for both aerial refueling and cargo transport. It is based on the Boeing 767 airframe but has been extensively modified for military applications. The KC-46A boasts a maximum fuel capacity of 212,299 pounds [96,297 kg], enabling it to refuel a wide array of aircraft mid-flight using its advanced fly-by-wire refueling boom and hose-and-drogue systems. Impressively, it can transfer fuel at a rate of up to 1,200 gallons per minute via the boom, making it efficient for refueling both large and small aircraft. Additionally, the Pegasus can accommodate up to 58 passengers or a combination of cargo and personnel on its multi-mission deck, truly making it a multifunctional asset in military aviation.
Driven by two Pratt & Whitney PW4062 engines, the KC-46A boasts an impressive range of 6,385 nautical miles [11,830 km] when fully loaded. This state-of-the-art aircraft features advanced avionics, such as a modernized cockpit, and sophisticated defensive systems like infrared countermeasures and threat detection. These upgrades ensure its capability to operate in hostile environments while adhering to U.S. and international airspace standards—a truly global asset.
This tanker can transfer fuel at a swift rate of 1,200 gallons per minute via its boom, topping up the F-15’s tanks in mere minutes. The F-35A, with an internal fuel load of 18,498 pounds [8,390 kg], also greatly relies on aerial refueling to extend its maximum operational range. By facilitating these mid-air refuels, the KC-46A can effectively double or even triple the operational range of these fighters, depending on mission requirements and fuel transfer rates.
The distance between Japan and Taiwan is about 1,300 kilometers [700 nautical miles], while it’s roughly 2,000 kilometers [1,080 nautical miles] to China’s eastern coastline. Now, if you look at the F-15 Eagle, it has a combat radius of approximately 1,967 kilometers [1,200 miles] when fully loaded with external tanks, without needing refueling. The F-35A, on the other hand, boasts a combat radius of around 1,093 kilometers [680 miles] using just its internal fuel.
Thanks to mid-air refueling from the KC-46A, both these aircraft can extend their operational range, enabling them to carry out missions over Taiwan or coastal China and make it safely back to Japan. For instance, a single refueling session can add an extra 1,000 kilometers or more to the F-35A’s flight time, depending on fuel consumption and mission requirements.
This extended range is vital for operations that demand a sustained air presence or deeper penetration into contested airspace. Given the limited number of bases in the area, mid-air refueling grants Japan’s fighter jets the ability to linger in crucial zones longer, execute more sorties, and engage targets farther away from Japanese shores without the need for frequent returns to base. This capability is especially critical in the Indo-Pacific theater, where airbases might be at risk from missile strikes, making the dispersal of assets a strategic necessity.
The KC-46A is crucial in any potential conflict with China for its ability to extend the reach of allied air forces beyond Japan’s borders. While the F-35A is essential for modern air operations, its limited fuel capacity means it relies heavily on frequent refueling during longer missions.
With the capability to refuel both U.S. and allied aircraft like the F-22 Raptor and the Eurofighter Typhoon, the KC-46A plays a vital role in coalition air campaigns. Its ability to refuel multiple types of aircraft ensures seamless interoperability among U.S. and allied forces, acting as a force multiplier for joint operations throughout the Pacific region.
In a conflict with China, achieving air superiority and projecting power is key to controlling crucial air and maritime domains. The KC-46A’s refueling capabilities are essential for sustaining air operations, enabling offensive counter-air missions, defensive patrols, and strike missions across vast distances.
This is especially crucial in the First Island Chain strategy, which seeks to confine Chinese forces within a circle of U.S. and allied territories, including Taiwan and Japan. By boosting the range and endurance of Japan’s F-15s and F-35s, the KC-46A ensures continuous air coverage and rapid response in these disputed regions.
Additionally, the KC-46A’s defensive capabilities and ability to operate in hostile airspace add extra strategic versatility. Equipped with infrared countermeasures and threat detection systems, it can fly closer to conflict zones than previous tanker models.
This improves its capacity to support forward-deployed fighters and perform refueling operations even in high-risk environments. This is a significant advantage in a potential conflict with China, where maintaining air superiority over vast distances is imperative.
Japan stands as a crucial ally in the Asia-Pacific region. During January 2023 security discussions between the U.S. and Japan, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin underscored the importance of collaborative air defense efforts. He specifically mentioned missile co-production and extended deterrence.
Fast forward two months and a Japanese government official spoke on how Japan’s defense stance is evolving in response to the growing threat from China. This was highlighted during the NEXT Alliance Conference in Tokyo. The official stressed the necessity for Japan to boost its air defense capabilities in collaboration with U.S. forces. Additionally, Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada underscored the pivotal role of Japan’s air force in ensuring regional security and addressing China’s maneuvers during the U.S.-Japan “2+2” defense talks held in January 2023.
BULGARIAN MILITARY