Israeli security sources assess that the US military intends to deploy approximately 10 additional aerial refueling aircraft to Israel in the coming days, with the expectation that most will be stationed at Ben Gurion Airport. The assessment updates earlier reports tonight of refueling aircraft en route to Israel.
Israeli security sources assess that the U.S. military intends to bring approximately 10 additional aerial refueling tankers to Israel in the coming days, with the expectation that most will be stationed at Ben Gurion Airport, according to a report Saturday evening.
The assessment updates a report published by The Zioneer just 23 minutes earlier (22:24), which quoted security sources saying 10 refueling aircraft were already en route to Israel and warned of worsening congestion and delays at Ben Gurion. The new report provides a slightly different timeline — 'in the coming days' rather than 'en route' — and specifies that the majority of the aircraft are expected to park at the airport.
The U.S. refueling deployment has been a major story in recent weeks, with The Zioneer reporting earlier this month that the U.S. planned to station roughly 100 aerial refueling aircraft in Israel as part of military preparations for potential strikes on Iran. The scale of the deployment has caused significant operational strain at Ben Gurion, prompting the U.S. to later relocate about 20% of the aircraft to ease congestion.
The new assessment is single-sourced and based on Israeli security sources. The precise timing and final parking arrangements remain unconfirmed.
4 developments
- ConfirmedUS plans to deploy roughly 100 aerial refueling aircraft to Israel, security source says
- DevelopingUS military deployed ~6 additional refueling aircraft across Israel overnight
- DevelopingUS expected to relocate 20% of refueling aircraft from Ben Gurion; reports do not confirm 32-aircraft withdrawal
- StrongUS military to relocate ~20% of refueling aircraft from Ben Gurion Airport ahead of Iran deal
Source and signal
- Open-source intake