Israel is working at speed to convert Boeing 767 into a long-flight refueling tanker

American sources point out that if Israel wants to retain the option of attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities when Barack Obama exits the White House in January 2017, it can’t wait for the brand-new US Pegasus tanker, which doubles as a military transport plane, to come off the Boeing production line and be delivered to its air force. The Boeing 707 in current service, after a multibillion investment in its conversion to a long-flight refueling tanker, no longer meets the fluctuating conditions in the Middle East. Work is therefore going ahead on the conversion of the Boeing 767 as its replacement.

Iran buys 100 Russian refueling aircraft for its air force to reach any point in the Mid East

In case anyone missed the memo a week ago on Iran’s intention regardless of the nuclear deal:

 

In defiance of the international arms embargo, Iran last week placed an order with Moscow for a huge fleet of 100 Russian IL78 MKI tanker aircraft (NATO: Midas) for refueling its air force in mid-flight, thereby extending its range to 7,300 km. This is reported exclusively by debkafile from its military and intelligence sources. The transaction runs contrary to the terms of the nuclear accord the six world powers and Iran signed in Vienna earlier this month.

These tanker planes can simultaneously refuel six to eight warplanes. Their acquisition brings Israel, 1.200km away – as well the rest of the Middle East – within easy range of Iranian aerial bombardment. It also puts Iran’s air force ahead of Israel’s in terms of the quantity and range of its refueling capacity.

Russian strategic bombers go on patrol mission over Atlantic Ocean

Last month Russia held a surprise combat readiness check of the country’s Armed Forces, which also involved Air Force strategic bombers

MOSCOW, April 15. /TASS/. Two Russian strategic bombers Tu-95MS (NATO reporting name: Bear) accomplished on Tuesday mission on air patrol over the neutral waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said on Wednesday.

“The flight route stretched over the neutral waters of the Barents and Norwegian Seas and the Atlantic Ocean,” he said. “The crews of Tu-95MS had refueling in the air provided by Ilyushin Il-78 (NATO reporting name: Midas) aerial refueling tanker. The flight duration was over 15 hours.”