The Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force plans to acquire four new KC-46A aerial refueling aircraft.

The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Japan for KC-46A aerial refueling aircraft and related equipment, training, and support. The estimated cost is $1.9 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The sale includes one  additional spare PW4062 engine. Each aircraft will be delivered with GPS capability and defensive systems installed plus spares, to include: Raytheon’s ALR-69A Radar Warning Receiver (RWR), Raytheon’s Miniaturized Airborne GPS Receiver (MAGR) 2000 to provide GPS Selective Availability AntiSpoofing Module SAASM capability, and Northrop Grumman’s AN/AAQ-24(V) Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) system. Each LAIRCM system consists of the following components: three  Guardian Laser Terminal Assemblies (GLTA), six  Ultra-Violet Missile Warning System (UVMWS) Sensors AN/AAR-54, one  LAIRCM System Processor Replacements (LSPR), one  Control Indicator Unit Replacement, one  Smart Card Assembly, and one High Capacity Card.

The KC-46A Pegasus is a widebody, multirole tanker that can refuel all U.S., allied and coalition military aircraft compatible with international aerial refueling procedures. Boeing designed the KC-46 to carry passengers, cargo and patients. The aircraft can detect, avoid, defeat and survive threats using multiple layers of protection, which will enable it to operate safely in medium-threat environments.