Recently, the Italian Air Force halted the acquisition of KC-46 Pegasus tankers from Boeing and has now initiated the process to procure a new replacement for the KC-767A tankers. They have notified the Ministry of Defense and added that the lack of a replacement could jeopardize the operational capabilities of the Air Force.
The program has been named “Update, Enhancement, and Comprehensive Logistics Support for the Italian Air Force’s Heavy Multirole Tanker Fleet,” and its cost has now risen to over €1.41 billion from the previous €1.2 billion. Sources suggest that the Air Force is currently considering alternative suppliers and options.
The Italian Air Force is focusing on the current geopolitical context and has detailed technical and operational requirements for air-to-air refueling capabilities over long and very long distances, as well as for the transportation of personnel and cargo. They are currently seeking six new tankers along with integrated logistic support. Investments will be spread over 10 years, and the program is set to begin next year.
The decision to halt the procurement of KC-46 Pegasus in June was due to “changed and unpredictable needs,” but the Air Force did not specify whether this was related to the aircraft themselves or other priorities.
In 2022, the Italian Air Force launched the program “Upgrade, Strengthening, and Integrated Logistic Support for the Italian Air Force’s Heavy Multi-Role Tanker Fleet.” According to the plan, the Air Force was to acquire two new KC-46 tankers and upgrade the existing four KC-767A aircraft to the same standard. However, the evaluation committee decided that it would be better to acquire six new aircraft of the same standard currently used by the U.S. Air Force (KC-767B).
The 767 aircraft are among the most sought-after assets of the Italian Air Force. In cargo, combined, and passenger configurations, they are used for strategic transport missions, as well as for medical evacuation and biological isolation. Since their introduction, the fleet has logged over 30,000 flight hours.
Had the previous program been implemented, Italy would have been the only European operator of the KC-46 aircraft, as France, Spain, and the United Kingdom have acquired Airbus A330 MRTT tankers, while Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Luxembourg, Norway, and the Netherlands share A330 MRTT tankers as part of the NATO multinational fleet. It’s quite possible that Italy will also consider these options.
The A330 MRTT can carry up to 111 tons of fuel, which, according to Airbus, is the highest capacity among all tanker aircraft. Fuel can be offloaded through four refueling stations. The tanker can also carry a maximum payload of up to 45 tons, up to 300 passengers, and up to 37 tons of cargo on the lower deck. The cargo can be stored in containers and pallets on the lower deck. Airbus is currently working on a fully automated air-to-air refueling technology (A3R) using a boom system.
Source: theaviationist
