The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Mon, June 27, 2022 | 21:21
Politics
Korea's refueling aircraft begins operation
Posted : 2019-01-30 16:39
Updated : 2019-01-30 18:08
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
Seen above is the KC-330 refueling tanker. / Courtesy of Ministry of National Defense
Seen above is the KC-330 refueling tanker. / Courtesy of Ministry of National Defense

By Lee Min-hyung

The Air Force put its first KC-330 in-flight refueling aircraft into operation Wednesday amid expectations for improved aerial readiness.

South Korea acquired the multi-role refueling tanker in November last year from Airbus and plans to introduce three more refueling tankers by the end of this year, according to the Air Force.

"The refueling aircraft, which began its aerial mission as of Wednesday, will further tighten the military's capabilities, allowing us to remain agile against possible threats amid the rapidly changing security environment," Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo said in an event to celebrate the launch of the aircraft at an air base in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province.

Aside from reinforcing internal security readiness, the Air Force should make all-out efforts for regional stability and peace with the tanker, Jeong said.

In particular, the refueling aircraft is expected to widen the scope of the Air Force's operational capability into broader areas with a longer loiter time.

Without the aircraft, an F-15K fighter jet can carry out its mission for up to 30 minutes. But when it is refueled by the KC-330, the tactical flight time for the jet increases by one more hour, according to the Air Force.

The KC-330 tanker can refuel up to 10 F-15K jets or 20 KF-16 fighters in the air.

"The operation of the refueling aircraft is expected to allow the Air Force to deal more effectively with any possible accidental threats from aircrafts of other countries," an official from the Air Force said.

A defense procurement committee from the Ministry of National Defense decided to introduce four tankers in June 2015, and about a month later, the committee signed a contract with Airbus.

In September last year, the Air Force established the 261st Air Tanker squadron to speed up the deployment of the aircraft in a more systemic way.

The second tanker will arrive here in this April, with the remaining two set to be introduced this August and December. Starting from July 2020, the Air Force plans to carry out full-fledged aerial missions with the four tanks.

"On top of that, the tankers are expected to make a huge contribution when the Air Force performs overseas humanitarian missions, such as relief operations and international disaster support," the official said.

Air Force Chief of Staff Lee Wang-keun said during the tanker's fielding ceremony that the introduction of the tanker is a "major turning point" in strengthening the Air Force's strategic air defense operations.


Emailmhlee@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
LG
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • Bitcoin, Ethereum extend poor performance on fears of Celsius bankruptcy
  • Weakening Korean currency no longer boon for exporters
  • 'Thanks America': Korean honors fallen US soldiers
  • Biden signs gun safety bill into law, takes swipe at Supreme Court
  • Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade [PHOTOS]
  • Israel's endless occupation
  • Yoon makes multilateral diplomacy debut at NATO summit
  • North Korea holds anti-American rally to mark war anniversary
  • Ex-NSC members accused of burying truth behind killing of fisheries official
  • 'Top Gun: Maverick' soars to over 1 million views in Korea 'Top Gun: Maverick' soars to over 1 million views in Korea
  • Jungkook, Charlie Puth collaboration tops iTunes charts in 93 countries Jungkook, Charlie Puth collaboration tops iTunes charts in 93 countries
  • BTS' J-Hope to release 1st solo album next month BTS' J-Hope to release 1st solo album next month
  • [INTERVIEW] Yoon Kye-sang enjoys returning to rom-com with 'Kiss Sixth Sense' [INTERVIEW] Yoon Kye-sang enjoys returning to rom-com with 'Kiss Sixth Sense'
  • Stories of Thai veterans of Korean War to be revisited in webtoon Stories of Thai veterans of Korean War to be revisited in webtoon
DARKROOM
  • Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade [PHOTOS]

    Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade [PHOTOS]

  • Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

    Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

  • Poor hit harder by economic crisis

    Poor hit harder by economic crisis

  • Roland Garros 2022

    Roland Garros 2022

  • 75th Cannes Film Festival

    75th Cannes Film Festival

The Korea Times
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Location
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Service
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • 고충처리인
  • Youth Protection Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group