The 9 tanker types used by air forces and their capabilities
April 4, 2026
Aerial refuelling tankers provide the backbone of any air force. Without these heavy lift beasts, fighter jets would never be able to conduct deep strike missions or even make it out of their home country.
The 2026 Flight Global Report counts a total of 811 military tankers active in the world today.
The United States operates the largest fleet, with 610 aircraft, accounting for 76% of the global active fleet. This article explores the various tanker types used by air forces worldwide.
| Aircraft type | Active fleet | % Share |
|---|---|---|
| Boeing KC-135 | 385 | 47% |
| Lockheed C-130 | 195 | 24% |
| Boeing 767 | 108 | 13% |
| Airbus A330 MRTT | 59 | 7% |
| IIlyshin II-78 | 34 | 4% |
| Boeing 707 | 17 | 2% |
| Xi’an Y-20 | 7 | 1% |
| Boeing 747 | 3 | 1% |
| Airbus A310 MRTT | 2 | 1% |
| Total | 810 | 100% |
1. Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker is the most common military tanker, primarily used by the United States Air Force (USAF). The US military utilises the KC-135 fleet to support the USAF, Navy, Marine Corps, and allied nations’ aircraft. With 385 active aircraft worldwide, the type represents a whopping 47% of the global tanker fleet.
Other global militaries, including the Chilean Air Force, French Air and Space Force, and Turkish Air Force, also use the type. The military operates the KC-135 as a transport aircraft for personnel and cargo, as well as for aeromedical evacuations. Introduced in 1957, it is one of the few military aircraft that has been in continuous service for over six decades.
2. Lockheed C-130 Hercules
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop aircraft designed for tactical missions.
Primary missions of the aircraft include aerial refuelling and firefighting, military transport, airborne assault, medevac, and search and rescue missions. Capable of operating on unconventional airstrips and fields, the C-130 is used by over 50 nations worldwide.
With 195 examples currently active, the type is used for airdropping of military supplies, conducting reconnaissance missions, and attacking ground targets. The type has also been used on numerous relief operations worldwide.
Since its first flight in 1954, the C-130 has had the longest continuous production history. Lockheed Martin states that more than 2,500 C-130s in over 70 different variants have been produced to date.
3. Boeing 767
Based on the Boeing 767-200ER variant, the KC-767 is a military aerial refuelling and transport aircraft developed in 2003. In 2013, the type was developed into KC-46 Pegasus to replace older KC-135 Stratotankers with the USAF.
With the agency, the aircraft are operated by the Air Force Materiel Command, the Air Education and Training Command, the Air Mobility Command, the Air Force Reserve Command, and the Air National Guard.
The 2026 Flight Global report shows that there are 108 Boeing 767 tankers active, representing 13% of the global tanker fleet. While the US operates 90% of the type, the Israel Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defence Force operate a handful of 767-based military aircraft.
4. Airbus A330 MRTT
The Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) is a military transport and aerial refuelling aircraft based on the civilian Airbus A330. Of the 66 examples delivered by Airbus, 59 are currently active with 17 countries worldwide.
The United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force (RAF), French Air and Space Force, and Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force are major operators of the type.
With two powerful engines, the aircraft can reach speeds of up to 475 knots (880 km/h) and has a maximum range of 8,000 nmi (14,800 km).
The aircraft is capable of supporting all types of air-to-air refuelling (AAR) operations and long-range deployments. Airbus states that the AAR under-wing pod system offers a maximum boom fuel flow rate of 3,600 kg/min.
5. Ilyushin II-78
The Ilyushin Il-78 is a Soviet Union quad-engine aerial refuelling tanker based on the Il-76 strategic airlifter.
Entering service in 1984, the Il-78 features the probe-and-drogue refuelling system, allowing transfer of fuel through its internal and removable tanks in the cargo hold. The aircraft can transfer up to 58 tonnes of fuel from its main tanks and an additional 28 tonnes using its removable tanks.
A higher fuel capacity version, the Il-78M, can transfer up to 106 tonnes of fuel. Russian Aerospace Forces are the largest operator of the type. Other nations, including Algeria, China, India, and Pakistan, also operate II-78 tankers.
6. Boeing 707
A small number of Boeing 707-based military tankers are still in use, particularly with the Iranian Air Force. While not a dedicated tanker aircraft, some older 707s were converted to tankers for the Israeli Air Force in the 1970s.
The Israeli Air Force refuelled numerous F-15s using the converted tankers during Operation Wooden Leg in 1082. The type is equipped with wing pods as well as a refuelling boom system.
The three-point boom and drogue system enabled an efficient refuelling mechanism, offering flexibility to air forces worldwide.
7. Xi’an Y-20
The Xi’an Y-20 is a large military transport aircraft designed and developed by the Xi’an Aircraft Industrial Corporation of China in 2013. In 2019, the company integrated the aerial refuelling capability into the Y-20, enabling its use as a dedicated air tanker.
With the installation of refuelling pods under its wings and on its rear, the aircraft could still retain its transport capacity.
The air tanker has the capacity to carry and transport up to 90 tons of fuel. Introduced in 2022, the type is currently exclusively used by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) of China. The PLAAF uses the aircraft to support long-range operations of the Chinese J-16 and J-20 fighters and bombers.
8. Boeing 747
The Boeing 747 Supertanker is an aerial firefighting aircraft derived from Boeing 747-100, -200, and -400 models. With a capacity of 74,000 litres of fire suppressant, it is the world’s largest aerial firefighting airtanker.
Only three aircraft were converted as airtankers, with the first one entering service to fight fires in Cuenca, Spain. The 747-400-based Supertanker was certified by the FAA in 2016 and fought California fires in 2017. Some reports suggest that the third Supertanker was reconfigured for cargo operations in 2021.
9. Airbus A310 MRTT
Derived from the commercial Airbus A310-300C widebody jetliner, the A310 MRTT is a military aerial refuelling tanker. A total of six civilian airframes saw specialised military conversions.
The aircraft features two underwing air-to-air refuelling (AAR) pods and five additional centre fuel tanks, allowing it to carry up to 96,920 litres of fuel.
There are currently two examples in active service with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), designated as CC-150 Polaris.
Featured image: A1C Thomas Hansford, USAF
