KenV your logic is irrefutable but you're dealing with national pride here, not common sense.
On that subject, perhaps the silliest tanker purchase of all is the RAF acquiring the A330 and deliberately deleting the boom which can be used on several in service and future planned types.
The KC 46 comes with what, three hoses AND a boom in a nice compact, flexible, rugged package with no 'hard limits'
A great machine, just like the civilian airframe it is based on.