Yeah, right. And Indont think a couple of ex-RAF Tristan’s will fit the bill on numbers or availability either.
And about that Lockheed/Airbus tanker partnership? How solid is it really? Consider that Lockheed is also contemplating going it alone. Larry Gallogly, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics' business development director of USAF mobility programmes said: "A lot of people don't realise that [the KC-130] is fully capable of refuelling everything from slow-moving helicopters up through fighter aircraft.
“the U.S. Transportation Command (Transcom) requirements call for a platform capable of carrying a minimum of 50,000 lb. of fuel for 1,500 mi. It must perform the mission day or night and deliver fuel by boom, hose-and-drogue or both“...