Israeli Tankers: The Israeli Air Force’s Air Refueling Capabilities and Their Use in the Conflict with Iran

Air-to-air refueling is a strategic pillar of any modern air force, enabling long-distance operations and power projection well beyond national borders. For the Israeli Air Force (IAF), this capability is crucial, given Israel’s geographic location and the need to operate in distant theaters against regional threats, such as Iran. We explore Tel Aviv’s air-to-air refueling capabilities, Israel’s tanker fleet, the technical modifications made to its fighter aircraft, and the use of these assets in the recent conflict with Iran, which began on June 13, 2025.

Israel’s Tanker Fleet: A Limited but Effective Resource

The Israeli Air Force has a relatively small but highly specialized tanker fleet, designed to support long-range missions. According to open sources, the fleet includes:

• Boeing KC-707 “Re’em”: approximately 6-7 operational aircraft, operated by the 120th Squadron “The Desert Giants” at Nevatim Air Base. These aircraft, derived from the civilian Boeing 707, have been repurposed for in-flight refueling and are equipped with probe and drogue refueling systems, compatible with most Israeli fighters, such as the F-15, F-16 and F-35. However, their advanced age (dating back to the 1960s and 1970s) limits their efficiency and reliability.

  
  

• Lockheed Martin KC-130H “Karnaf”: Four aircraft, primarily used to refuel helicopters and transport aircraft, but occasionally deployed to support fighters on short-range missions. These aircraft are less versatile than the KC-707s for long-range operations, but offer valuable tactical capabilities.

Israel’s limited number of tankers presents a challenge to the IAF, especially in long-distance, sustained operations such as those against Iran, which is approximately 1,000-2,300 km from Israel, depending on the targets. To address this limitation, the IAF has developed innovative strategies, including optimising flight paths and modifying fighters to reduce reliance on in-flight refuelling.

Fighter Modifications and Innovation of the F-35I Adir

A key element of the IAF’s operational capabilities is the modifications made to its Lockheed Martin F-35I “Adir,” Israel’s version of the fifth-generation stealth fighter. In the recent conflict with Iran, US sources revealed that Israel implemented a “secret modification” to the F-35I to increase its range without compromising its stealth capabilities.

• External Drop Tanks: Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Elbit Systems have reportedly developed 2,700-liter external fuel tanks, designed to maintain the F-35’s low radar observability. These tanks are jettisoned before entering enemy territory, allowing the fighter to operate at ranges beyond its reported 1,100 km without in-flight refueling. This modification would have been crucial for the June 13, 2025 strikes, when F-35Is struck Iranian nuclear sites, such as Natanz and Fordow, without the need for in-flight refueling or stopovers in third countries.
  

• Electronic Warfare Systems and Autonomy: The F-35Is are equipped with electronic warfare systems developed in Israel, which improve survivability in high-threat environments. In addition, the IAF has customized the pilot's helmet, integrating a Star of David and advanced features for managing long-distance missions.
  

These innovations have enabled the IAF to conduct deep strikes into Iran, such as the June 15, 2025 attack on an Iranian Boeing 707 tanker at Mashhad airport, some 2,300 km from Israel, demonstrating an unprecedented power projection capability.

The Role of Air-to-Air Refueling in the Conflict with Iran

Operation Rising Lion, launched on June 13, 2025, marked the beginning of an open conflict between Israel and Iran, with the IAF engaging in strikes against Iranian nuclear, military and energy infrastructure. Air-to-air refueling played a key role in these operations, allowing Israeli fighters to maintain a sustained presence in Iranian skies. To date, more than 600 refuelings of combat aircraft have been carried out in the skies of the Middle East.

These refuelings have allowed F-15, F-16 and F-35 fighters to operate at ranges of more than 1,500 km, hitting strategic targets such as the Quds Force headquarters in Tehran and fuel depots.

The IAF claimed to have achieved “air superiority” over Iran’s skies, thanks to its ability to keep a large number of fighters in the air for extended periods. KC-707 tankers refueled the aircraft during missions lasting more than 40 hours at a time, the IDF Spokesperson reported on June 14, 2025.

A key moment in the conflict was the June 15, 2025 strike, when the IAF destroyed Iran’s only operational Boeing 707 tanker in Mashhad. This strike, conducted 2,300 km from Israel, deprived Iran of its aerial refueling capability, drastically limiting the operational range of its already aging air force, which is mainly composed of aircraft such as the MiG-29 and Sukhoi-24.

Israeli Air Tankers: Challenges and Limitations

Despite its successes, the IAF faces several challenges in maintaining its air-to-air refueling capabilities. With a limited number of Israeli air tankers, only 6-7 KC-707s and 4 KC-130Hs, the IAF is heavily dependent on the maintenance and availability of these aircraft. The advanced age of the KC-707s increases the risk of failure, as highlighted by military sources in “Military Balance 2025”.

Possible US assistance, although not officially confirmed, underscores the IAF’s vulnerability in protracted conflicts. A refusal of support by the US or allied countries could limit long-range operations.

Iran has over 3,000 ballistic and cruise missiles, which can saturate Israeli defenses. Iranian missile attacks on Tel Aviv and Haifa, which began on June 13, 2025, have forced the IAF to divide resources between offensive operations and defense of domestic airspace.

Future Outlook

The IAF is planning to modernize its tanker fleet to address growing regional threats. It is in talks with the United States to acquire Boeing KC-46 Pegasus aircraft, which would offer greater capacity and reliability than the KC-707. In addition, the IAF continues to invest in technologies to increase the range of its fighters, reducing its reliance on in-flight refueling.

In the context of the conflict with Iran, in-flight refueling has allowed the IAF to maintain an operational advantage, inflicting significant damage to Iranian infrastructure. However, the ongoing escalation, with Iranian missile attacks on Israeli cities and the risk of involvement of Iranian allies such as Hezbollah, Houthis and Iraqi militias, requires careful management of air assets.

The Israeli Air Force’s aerial refueling capabilities, while limited by the number of tankers, have been enhanced by technological innovations and international logistical support. In the conflict with Iran, these capabilities have enabled the IAF to conduct long-distance strikes with surgical precision, striking strategic targets and maintaining air superiority.

However, the challenges of its aging fleet and the Iranian asymmetric threat underscore the need for future investment. The IAF remains a key player in the region, capable of projecting power far beyond its borders, but its success will depend on its ability to adapt to an increasingly complex conflict.