Israeli Air Force to buy US refueling jets

In light of the recent developments in the Iranian nuclear deal, the Obama administration has removed restrictions to sell the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus, an aerial refueling and military transport aircraft, to Israel.

One of the most important muscles in the long-reaching arms of the IAF (Israeli Air Force) is their aerial refueling fleet, which provides a vital opportunity for the Israelis to reach out a greater distance or to simply keep their aircraft up in the sky for longer periods of time.

The Israeli approach to defense requires a long reach, the ability to strike from a great distance. The Israelis look to eliminate perceived threats before they have a chance to mature, for example, the infamous strike of the Iraqi nuclear reactor, or during Operation Wooden Leg in 1985, in which Israeli F-15s relied on heavily modified Boeing 707 aircraft to provide aerial refueling over the Mediterranean Sea, extending their range to 2,000 kilometers and allowing them to strike a PLO headquarters in Tunisia.

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