The U.S. State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Japan for up to nine KC-46A aerial refueling aircraft and related equipment. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress on Sept. 13, of the potential $4.1 billion deal.
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Hunini, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
This sale would significantly expand Japan’s aerial refueling capabilities. The package includes up to 18 PW4062 turbofan engines, radar warning receivers, and infrared countermeasure systems. Additional non-major defense equipment items are also part of the proposed sale.
Japan already operates KC-46A tankers. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force received its first Pegasus in October 2021, with a second delivered in February 2022. Prior to this latest potential sale, Japan had ordered a total of six KC-46A aircraft. Tokyo was cleared to order the KC-46A back in September, 2016 for four aircraft. It then added two more tankers to its order in November, 2022.
This new potential sale of up to nine additional KC-46As would significantly expand Japan’s aerial refueling capabilities, potentially bringing their total KC-46A fleet to 15 aircraft if all options are exercised.
This sale reinforces the U.S.-Japan security alliance and bolsters regional stability. The State Department emphasized that the proposed sale will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
Implementation of this sale will not require additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives in Japan. The U.S. government assures no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness from this proposed sale.
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