The French Air and Space Force achieved a new operational milestone during the Gulf25 exercise in the United Arab Emirates, as its KC-130J Super Hercules successfully refueled a Rafale fighter jet in flight for the first time.
The aerial refueling marked the full integration of the KC-130J into France’s tanker fleet, enhancing flexibility for overseas deployments and joint operations. The aircraft, operated by Escadron de Ravitaillement en Vol 2/61 “Bretagne”, is part of a modernization push to complement France’s A330 MRTT fleet with smaller tactical tankers capable of operating from shorter runways.
Image: AeroTime