Air Force to Purchase More KC-46s in Lieu of New Competition Written 21 July 2025

Defense One reports, “After years of uncertainty about the Air Force’s tanker plans, the service has decided to buy more KC-46s instead of launching a new competition for its next tanker buy. This decision ends speculation that the service might launch a contest, likely between Boeing and Airbus, for an interim tanker buy of 75 aircraft to replace the aging KC-135 fleet. Instead, the Air Force will purchase more of the troubled but already-in-production KC-46 as a ‘bridge’ solution until it figures out its long-term tanking needs.”
Full Story (Defense One)