KC-46 도입을 취소하고 공중급유기 경쟁입찰을 준비중인 이탈리아 공군

[위종민]

이탈리아 공군은 KC-46 공중급유기 6기 도입계약을 취소하고 신형 공중급유기 경쟁입찰을 검토하고 있다고 디펜스 뉴스가 보도했습니다. 

이탈리아 공군은 2011년부터 767 공중급유기 4대를 운용중이었고, 2021년 이를 개량하고 2대 추가구입할 계획을 발표했다가 2022년 KC-46 6기 신조기 도입으로 변경했었습니다. 취소 이유는 밝혀지지 않았습니다만 비용 및 인도시기와 관련됐을 수 있다고 하네요. 

https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2024/07/12/italian-air-force-eyes-airbus-tankers-after-dropping-boeing-planes/

Italy Air Force eyes new tanker competition after dropping Boeing buy

Italy Air Force eyes new tanker competition after dropping Boeing buy

By Tom Kington

 Saturday, Jul 13, 2024

An Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport refuels an F-16D fighter from the Republic of Singapore Air Force. (Airbus)

ROME — Italy is mulling a competition to find a new tanker aircraft after suspending plans to buy six new Boeing KC-46 tankers, sources have told Defense News.

The competition, which could be held this year, will likely see the Airbus A330 MRTT tanker in contention to replace the Italian Air Force’s four Boeing 767-based tanker aircraft which entered service from 2011.

Should the Airbus aircraft be picked, it would mark an important shift for Italy after relying on Boeing tankers for over a decade.

In 2021 Italy announced plans to upgrade its B-767 tankers and purchase two more, but the following year Rome changed tack, opting instead to buy six new KC-46 aircraft, aligning itself with the United States, which has acquired the more modern aircraft.

Italy’s plans all changed last month, however, when defense planners issued a document stating the €1.1 billion ($1.2 billion), six-aircraft KC-46 purchase had been halted “due to changed and unforeseen needs.”

No further explanation was given, although the decision could be linked to issues over the cost and promised delivery time of the new aircraft, Defense News has learned.

The KC-46 has been plagued by problems including a troublesome Remote Vision System, aimed at giving boom operators a view of refueling operations. The delivery of a replacement dubbed the RVS 2.0 is set to slip to 2026, the U.S. Air Force said in March.

Italy’s suspension of its purchase has prompted plans for a possible competition “to be held within months” said a source who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to speak on the record.

Officials have not ruled out a KC-46 buy, but want to see what else is on the market, the source added.

The most likely alternative is the Airbus A330 MRTT, which has been acquired by France, Spain and the U.K.

The Italian Air Force is meanwhile planning to spend €7.5 billion on 24 new Eurofighter jets to replace 26 older versions due of service in 2028.

About Tom Kington

[백선호]

핵폭발 EMP도 견디라고 과도한 요구를 하니 이것저것 붙이고 테스트하다가 돈 더 들고 게다가 ‘보잉’이고... -.-;;;

[위종민]

이 쯤 되니 굳이 저 비용과 시간을 날려가면서 RVS를 고집해야 하는 건가 싶기도 ㅜㅜ