KC-135 Stratotankers for Argentina’s Air Force?

Argentina has reportedly enquired about the availability of a couple of Boeing KC-135R Stratotankers from the United States for purchase.

The Chief of Staff of the Argentine Air Force (FAA), Brigadier General Gustavo Valverde, gave an account of this news during an interview.

The Argentine interest in the KC-135 comes from the need to refuel in flight the 24 second-hand Danish F-16 AM/BM that the FAA is putting into service, which require a tanker aircraft equipped with a telescopic probe (boom) for the transfer of fuel.

Currently, the FAA has a couple of Lockheed KC-130H Hercules that refuel the A-4R bomber fighters in flight with Sargent Fletcher sub-wing pods fitted with flexible tubes and baskets.

If the request is successful, the purchase would be made through foreign military sales (FMS) channels, which also guarantee technical support from the US Government.

Such aircraft would enable interoperability with those in service with the USAF and the Air National Guard, with benefits also in terms of crew training and cost reduction.

Photo credit @USAF