Israel receives first Gideon tanker aircraft

A heavily redacted image showing the first of six (plus two on option) Boeing KC-46A Gideon tankers for Israel being delivered into Nevatim Airbase on 27 May 2026. (Israeli Air Force)

The first of six Boeing KC-46A Gideon tanker aircraft for Israel was received on 27 May 2026.

Aircraft nose number 301 was flown into the Israeli Air Force's (IAF's) Nevatim Airbase from Boeing's Everett production facility in the US, weeks after making its maiden flight on 4 May 2026.

“Today, the Israeli Air Force is adding the capabilities of the ‘Gideon',” the IAF said, adding, “Its arrival marks a true leap forward in the Israeli Air Force's ability to expand its operational range, extend the duration of operational flight time, and maintain the Israel Defense Force's qualitative advantage in the years ahead. In the coming days, the aircraft will be equipped with the most advanced systems.”

Neither Boeing nor the Israeli Ministry of Defense (MoD) have disclosed a delivery timeline for the remaining aircraft.

With six Gideon tankers on order and options for two more, Israel is looking to replace nine Boeing 707-derived KC-707 Re'em tankers which date back to the early 1970s and have been suffering from serviceability issues. The Gideons will also augment four Lockheed Martin KC-130H Hercules aircraft.

The KC-46A Pegasus (it is named Gideon only in Israeli service) is a 767-2C provisioned freighter with a 767-400 flight deck (this flight deck features the Collins large-format displays of the 787 airliner). It has a minimum crew of three comprising a pilot, a co-pilot, and a mission system operator/officer.