Second Gidon refueling aircraft arrives in Israel to boost IAF’s long-range reach

A second Gidon tanker touched down at Nevatim Airbase on Thursday, marking a significant milestone for the IDF’s aerial refueling and cargo capabilities.

The Gidon, converted from a Boeing KC-46 airframe through a joint program between the US Air Force and the IAF, is described by the officer who oversees its operation as the most advanced aerial refueling aircraft in the world.

It first entered IAF service earlier this year, becoming the flagship of a new refueling squadron that will only continue to grow. Israel has ordered six of the aircraft to date, with the possibility of expanding the fleet further down the line.

“First and foremost, it is a tanker aircraft, and its capabilities are extensive and very important for the State of Israel,” an IAF source told The Jerusalem Post, explaining that, beyond refueling, the aircraft can carry cargo and passengers simultaneously, evacuate wounded personnel, and may take on additional roles the Air Force and Defense Ministry develop for it over time.

“Our goal is to provide the State of Israel with the strongest capability we possibly can. And, of course, regional cooperation and cooperation with our American partners are strategic and critical for the country,” the source said.

The Gidon refuels other aircraft primarily through an advanced boom system, which will serve as the backbone of the IAF’s refueling missions going forward. The aircraft is also equipped with a secondary drogue-based refueling system, which Israeli aircraft are not built to use, but it could eventually support aerial refueling for other air forces as part of regional cooperation efforts.

The source explained that what specifically sets the Gidon apart from the aircraft it is replacing is its raw capacity paired with precision.

Gidon carries 'significantly more' fuel, cargo, passengers than predecessor, IAF source says

“It can carry significantly more fuel, significantly more cargo, and significantly more passengers,” he said, “and it can do all of that with greater precision, in more complex environments, and on a larger scale.”

The aircraft can carry up to 18 pallets of cargo and can conduct refueling and cargo missions at the same time.

The Gidon also carries civilian and military systems that the officer described as among the most advanced of their kind anywhere in the world. The officer said they feature a mix of flight-safety and communications technology found on top-tier commercial aircraft, alongside classified military systems developed by the US Air Force.

Its core mission, the source explained, is extending the reach of Israeli combat aircraft on long-range operations.

“Our goal is to get the Air Force as far as it needs to go, to all the points it needs to reach, and to bring all of its capabilities across the Middle East, or even farther if necessary,” he said.

Source: New tanker aircraft can also serve international humanitarian aid delivery missions

But the aircraft’s reach isn’t limited to combat missions. As the source explained, the Gidon can also be used to deliver aid across the world.

“This aircraft can bring the State of Israel and all of its capabilities to help populations and countries – whether Jewish communities or other countries – anywhere in the world,” he said, noting that the Home Front Command and other state agencies could now reach nearly any destination on a direct flight to deliver or retrieve equipment.

The Gidon program has been closely watched since the first aircraft arrived in Israel earlier this year as part of a deal funded through US Foreign Military Financing, replacing the IAF’s fleet of Boeing 707 “Re’em” tankers, which have been in service for roughly six decades.