An Analysis of the Value of Air-to-Air Refuelling to Modern Air Operations

• Published in: Air and Space Power Review
• Main Author: Stuart Patton
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Royal Air Force 2021-11-01
• Online Access: https://raf.mod.uk/what-we-do/centre-for-air-and-space-power-studies/aspr/aspr-vol23-iss1-5-pdf

Although the potential of air-to-air refuelling has been repeatedly demonstrated, it has nevertheless evolved to be an area of marginal interest for many Western nations. With recent operations exposing critical shortfalls in this capability, this paper seeks to re-examine the value of air-to-air refuelling to modern warfighting. In order to do so, it first explores current doctrine, before analysing the historical development of air-to-air refuelling and its recent contribution to operations. Subsequently, the likely future challenges facing the capability are considered. This paper concludes that air-to-air refuelling is a highly versatile and valuable capability within modern operations, and notes that underappreciation and underinvestment in this area may be sufficient to limit Western war fighting capacity in future conflict.