NorthernKestrel, whilst that is correct, you may wish to recall that a similar capability was deemed superfluous for the TriStar tanker, so the probes were removed.
From what I read, it is not the requirement for future tankers which has been criticised (apart from MoD vacillation), it is the specific PFI contract.
BAE (or rather Airbus Filton) offered a much better solution over 15 years ago - conventional procurement of about 2 dozen A310MRTT tanker-transports to replace the VC10/VC10K and TriStar.
Coincidentally, the Luftwaffe have now formally confirmed that the A310MRTT has recently received its official transfer into service with 3 aircraft now fully operational and the 4th to follow later this year.