TSAMTO, November 20. The us Department of defense announced that the US air force command signed a contract with Boeing for the supply of the third and fourth KC-46A multi-purpose tanker transports for the Japanese Air self-defense forces.
The contract signed under the Foreign military sales program is worth $ 342.12 million. it is the implementation of an option to the underlying agreement. The work will be performed at the company in Everett (PC.Washington) and will be completed by June 30, 2023. After signing this contract, the total cost of the order for the supply of KC-46A aircraft for Japan increased to $ 800.97 million.
As reported by TSAMTO, in October 2015, the Japanese Ministry of defense announced Boeing as the winner of the competition for the supply of new tanker aircraft for the Air self-defense forces after refusing to participate in the Airbus competition. The KC-46A will replace the four KC-767J in service.
The US state Department approved the potential delivery of four KC-46A tanker aircraft and related equipment and services to Japan under the Foreign military sales program in September 2016. The total value of the sale was estimated at up to $ 1.9 billion.
In December 2017, the US air force command signed a contract with Boeing for the delivery of the first KC-46A aircraft for the Japanese Air self-defense forces. In December 2018, a contract was signed with Boeing to supply Japan with the second KC-46A.
Assembly of the first KC-46A for Japan began in September 2019. The rollout of the aircraft took place in September 2020. As planned, it will be delivered to the customer in 2021, with some delay from the originally agreed schedule.
The purchase of the KC-46A is included in the government's proposed medium-Term defense program of Japan for 2019-2023 MTDP (Medium-Term Defense Program). As part of these plans, the Japanese air self-defense force intends to form a new tanker squadron at Miho air base in Tottori Prefecture.