USAF tanker force nearly 200 aircraft short for conflict with China
Boeing has delivered 61 KC-46 tankers to the USAF. (Photo: USAF)
Problems with the USAF's tanker fleet are such that it risks being unable to effectively fight a war with China, according to a leading defence expert.
A defence analyst has told Shephard that the current number of USAF operational tankers sits well below the fleet required to execute a war with China.
Over the next three to four years, ‘viable tankers’ available for USAF operations will be below 400 aircraft and ‘stay there for a while', according to John Venable, senior research fellow, defence policy, in the Center for National Defense at the Heritage Foundation.
That figure falls significantly short of the 580 needed to fight against Beijing's forces in Asia-Pacific, according to Venable.
Much of the Western Pacific will ‘simply be off limits to tankers', based on
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 2 free stories per week
- Daily news round-up email service
- Access to all Decisive Edge email newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Air Warfare
-
![Netherlands deploys F-35s for air policing in Estonia]()
Netherlands deploys F-35s for air policing in Estonia
The Dutch F-35s will replace the German Eurofighter Typhoons stationed in Latvia.
-
![Boeing’s orderbook boosted with new US Air Force contracts]()
Boeing’s orderbook boosted with new US Air Force contracts
Recent orders for the Boeing KC-46A tanker for the US Air Force (USAF) and engineering support for the Japan Air Self-Defence Force give a boost to the US manufacturer’s orderbook.
-
![Finland’s Summa Defence establishes drone production facility with Ukrainian partners]()
Finland’s Summa Defence establishes drone production facility with Ukrainian partners
The Finnish defence and security group will work with Ukrainian drone companies to speed up production of platforms for Ukraine and across the European Union (EU) and NATO countries.
