Japan bids to procure additional KC-46A tankers

The JASDF's 405th Air Refuelling Squadron already operates two KC-46A from Miho Air Base in Tottori Prefecture. (Boeing)

Japan is seeking to acquire nine additional Boeing KC-46A Pegasus tanker aircraft, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said on 13 September.

The potential foreign military sale (FMS) – estimated to cost USD4.1 billion, according to the DSCA – would add to the six KC-46As already ordered by Tokyo for deployment by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF).

The DSCA said the potential sale, of which Congress has been notified, would include nine aircraft, up to 18 PW4062 turbofan engines, up to 16 AN/ALR-69A radar warning receivers (RWRs), and up to 33 Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure (LAIRCM) Guardian Laser Turret Assemblies (GLTAs) as well as other associated equipment and components.

“The proposed sale will improve Japan's aerial refueling capability and passenger transport operations, which will contribute to enhanced deterrence of current and future threats in the region,” the DSCA said.

Japan's 2025 defence budget – announced late August – proposed funding of JPY206.8 billion (USD1.47 billion) for the procurement of four KC-46As. The total proposed defence budget was JPY8.54 trillion, a year-on-year increase of 10.5%.

In its budget proposal, Japan's Ministry of Defense (MoD) said additional KC-46A tankers were required to support JASDF fighter aircraft deployments in Japan's southwest region, parts of which are also claimed by China.

In the past, the MoD has said the KC-46As would meet a growing need to sustain air operations around Japan and in the Pacific.

For more information, please seeJapan Air Self-Defense Force .