An RAAF KC-30A MRTT aircraft refuels a JASDF Mitsubishi F-2A over Japan in April 2022. (Australian Department of Defence)

A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) KC-30 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) successfully refuelled a Mitsubishi F-2 aircraft of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) for the first time.

The refuelling was conducted as part of an air-to-air refuelling test programme held from 4 to 27 April. The programme involved nine flights between the KC-30A and the F-2. The flights were conducted under various conditions, including daylight, dusk, and night-time.

Air Commander Australia, Air Vice-Marshal Darren Goldie, said the successful flight-test programme would facilitate the increasing complexity and sophistication of bilateral engagement between both countries.

“Our ability to work seamlessly together will ensure we can continue to uphold and reinforce a secure, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific region,” AVM Goldie said.

Goldie added that the flight-test programme is the culmination of two years of close co-operation between Australia's Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU) and the JASDF Air Development and Test Wing (ADTW).

An RAAF KC-30A MRTT aircraft refuels a JASDF Mitsubishi F-2A over Japan in April 2022. (Australian Department of Defence)

A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) KC-30 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) successfully refuelled a Mitsubishi F-2 aircraft of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) for the first time.

The refuelling was conducted as part of an air-to-air refuelling test programme held from 4 to 27 April. The programme involved nine flights between the KC-30A and the F-2. The flights were conducted under various conditions, including daylight, dusk, and night-time.

Air Commander Australia, Air Vice-Marshal Darren Goldie, said the successful flight-test programme would facilitate the increasing complexity and sophistication of bilateral engagement between both countries.

“Our ability to work seamlessly together will ensure we can continue to uphold and reinforce a secure, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific region,” AVM Goldie said.

Goldie added that the flight-test programme is the culmination of two years of close co-operation between Australia's Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU) and the JASDF Air Development and Test Wing (ADTW).

An RAAF KC-30A MRTT aircraft refuels a JASDF Mitsubishi F-2A over Japan in April 2022. (Australian Department of Defence)

A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) KC-30 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) successfully refuelled a Mitsubishi F-2 aircraft of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) for the first time.

The refuelling was conducted as part of an air-to-air refuelling test programme held from 4 to 27 April. The programme involved nine flights between the KC-30A and the F-2. The flights were conducted under various conditions, including daylight, dusk, and night-time.

Air Commander Australia, Air Vice-Marshal Darren Goldie, said the successful flight-test programme would facilitate the increasing complexity and sophistication of bilateral engagement between both countries.

“Our ability to work seamlessly together will ensure we can continue to uphold and reinforce a secure, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific region,” AVM Goldie said.

Goldie added that the flight-test programme is the culmination of two years of close co-operation between Australia's Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU) and the JASDF Air Development and Test Wing (ADTW).

An RAAF KC-30A MRTT aircraft refuels a JASDF Mitsubishi F-2A over Japan in April 2022. (Australian Department of Defence)

A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) KC-30 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) successfully refuelled a Mitsubishi F-2 aircraft of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) for the first time.

The refuelling was conducted as part of an air-to-air refuelling test programme held from 4 to 27 April. The programme involved nine flights between the KC-30A and the F-2. The flights were conducted under various conditions, including daylight, dusk, and night-time.

Air Commander Australia, Air Vice-Marshal Darren Goldie, said the successful flight-test programme would facilitate the increasing complexity and sophistication of bilateral engagement between both countries.

“Our ability to work seamlessly together will ensure we can continue to uphold and reinforce a secure, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific region,” AVM Goldie said.

Goldie added that the flight-test programme is the culmination of two years of close co-operation between Australia's Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU) and the JASDF Air Development and Test Wing (ADTW).

An RAAF KC-30A MRTT aircraft refuels a JASDF Mitsubishi F-2A over Japan in April 2022. (Australian Department of Defence)

A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) KC-30 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) successfully refuelled a Mitsubishi F-2 aircraft of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) for the first time.

The refuelling was conducted as part of an air-to-air refuelling test programme held from 4 to 27 April. The programme involved nine flights between the KC-30A and the F-2. The flights were conducted under various conditions, including daylight, dusk, and night-time.

Air Commander Australia, Air Vice-Marshal Darren Goldie, said the successful flight-test programme would facilitate the increasing complexity and sophistication of bilateral engagement between both countries.

“Our ability to work seamlessly together will ensure we can continue to uphold and reinforce a secure, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific region,” AVM Goldie said.

Goldie added that the flight-test programme is the culmination of two years of close co-operation between Australia's Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU) and the JASDF Air Development and Test Wing (ADTW).

An RAAF KC-30A MRTT aircraft refuels a JASDF Mitsubishi F-2A over Japan in April 2022. (Australian Department of Defence)

A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) KC-30 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) successfully refuelled a Mitsubishi F-2 aircraft of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) for the first time.

The refuelling was conducted as part of an air-to-air refuelling test programme held from 4 to 27 April. The programme involved nine flights between the KC-30A and the F-2. The flights were conducted under various conditions, including daylight, dusk, and night-time.

Air Commander Australia, Air Vice-Marshal Darren Goldie, said the successful flight-test programme would facilitate the increasing complexity and sophistication of bilateral engagement between both countries.

“Our ability to work seamlessly together will ensure we can continue to uphold and reinforce a secure, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific region,” AVM Goldie said.

Goldie added that the flight-test programme is the culmination of two years of close co-operation between Australia's Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU) and the JASDF Air Development and Test Wing (ADTW).