Turkish Air Force receives upgraded Stratotanker aircraft PHOTO

Türkiye received another upgraded KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft. The platform was modernized under the program KS-135R Block-45.1 in the USA.

The Ministry of National Defense of Turkey announced that the Stratotanker returned to its base in Incirlik on October 17, Caliber.Az informs.

Modernization efforts are mainly focused on aircraft avionics. The central instrument panel was removed and replaced with a modern digital display.

KC-135R Blok-45.1 modernizasyonu kapsamında, ABD’de bulunan tanker uçağımızın modernizasyonu tamamlanarak 10’uncu Tanker Üs Komutanlığımıza emniyetle iniş yaptı.#MSB pic.twitter.com/zLRXdRfOel

— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) October 17, 2022

The Turkish Air Force purchased seven KC-135Rs from the United States in 1995. The upgraded platforms are expected to provide air-to-air refuelling, transportation, medical assistance and command and staff support to Türkiye and its allies for several more years.

Tanker aircraft are an important component of the Air Force. They increase the mission duration and combat range of combat aircraft and are also used for medical evacuation, as an air command post, and for the transport of personnel and vehicles.