Israel has signed a $927 million deal for the purchase of four Boeing Co KC-46A refueling tankers for its airforce, according to a statement released by the Israeli government and the US defense contractor on 1 September.

The new tankers will arrive in 2025 and are set to replace the decades-old Boeing 707 tankers. 

Israel is the third country after the United States and Japan to acquire the Boeing KC-46A.

The Israeli Minister of Defense, Benny Gantz, thanked the US Department of Defense after announcing the deal’s signing on his Twitter account, saying the new planes would “enable the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) to face security challenges near and far.”

The purchase underlines Israel’s seriousness of its long-term threats against Iran, as it would ease the possibility of a strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Meanwhile, Gantz claimed the Pegasus tanker deal is part of Israel’s effort to buy F-35 fighter jets, helicopters, submarines, and advanced munition from the United States. 

In July, Israel’s military Chief of Staff demanded the creation of new operational plans to strike Iran and stop its alleged nuclear weapons program. A claim that Iran denies. 

In 2020, the US administration approved the potential sale of up to eight KC-46A tankers and other military equipment to Israel for an estimated cost of $2.4 billion.

Additionally, the deal includes tanker service support, maintenance and repairs, logistics, and spare parts.

The Boeing KC-46A Pegasus is a US military aerial refueling and strategic military transport aircraft developed by Boeing from its 767 jet airliner. The aircraft is considered the most advanced model in the field of aircraft refueling. 

Meanwhile, US arms sales have amounted to nearly $60 billion in 2022. 

The largest importers of US weapons are Saudi Arabia, Australia, Qatar, and Great Britain.

The US remains the largest exporter of arms with a market share of 39% between the years 2017 and 2021.