Key facts
- The US Air Force's aerial refuelling fleet has fallen short of established availability and mission-capability goals between 2019 and 2025.
- Aging aircraft, spare-part shortages, and maintenance challenges are key factors impacting readiness.
- Delays in fielding advanced tankers and frequent equipment failures also contribute to the problem.
- Aerial refuelling is crucial for US aircraft to sustain operations over long distances, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
New reports suggest the United States faces significant challenges in sustaining its military power projection capabilities, particularly concerning its aerial refuelling fleet, amid heightened strategic competition with China.
A report released this month by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the US Air Force's aerial refuelling aircraft have consistently failed to meet their established availability and mission-capability targets between 2019 and 2025.
The watchdog identified several contributing factors, including aging aircraft, shortages of spare parts, difficulties with maintenance, gaps in technical expertise, and delays in the deployment of advanced tanker aircraft. The report also highlighted the issue of frequent equipment failures impacting the fleet's operational status.