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Israeli Air Force 707 arrives in Perth

written by australianaviation.com.au | May 22, 2017

photo – Keith Anderson

An Israeli Air Force Boeing 707 tanker has visited Perth and RAAF Base Pearce.

The otherwise unmarked aircraft wore the serial ‘272’, and arrived at Perth a little after 11am on Monday using the callsign ‘IAF401’.

A Defence spokesperson said the RAAF was providing limited support for the aircraft’s visit to Australia.

“RAAF is providing limited support to an Israeli Air Force training activity. This is a low level good will activity,” the spokesperson told Australian Aviation in a written response to questions.

“RAAF support will focus on exercising ground handling procedures between the RAAF and the IAF at RAAF Base Pearce.

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“Ground crews will have the opportunity to interact with an unfamiliar aircraft and improve their own competencies.”

This story was first published on May 22 and was updated on May 29. 

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Comments (26)

  • Corey

    says:

    AA do you know why they are here?? Also, why do they have such an old tanker I would have thought they would have at least re-engined it by now.

  • Paul

    says:

    Does anyone know what it was doing here?The IAF is the best airforce in the world bar none.Its an honour to have them visit here.

  • G4george

    says:

    Considering the American taxpayer funds the Israeli Air Force I thought they would have a more modern tanker fleet

  • Mick181

    says:

    Or George you can put it another way the Saudis are paying for the Israeli Military.

  • Craig

    says:

    According to Flightglobal, the IAF has submitted an urgent request to replace the existing B707 airframes. Under consideration is the K46A or an IAI converted used B767 airframes with a speedy decision expected in the near future.

  • scout

    says:

    For the size of their country ,I wouldn’t think they need many refuellers. Not long in the Air before their target zone.. And if its not broken,Don’t need a new one ,Fine. And the American tax payer might pay for the airforce ,But most of LA and NY businesses and corporation’s,Film companies etc are owned by the Jewish fraternity and pay billions in tax,So it’s not really a problem.

  • Hayden.R

    says:

    are K46a systems similar to KC-30A?

  • Lechuga

    says:

    Would you look at those old engines. Beautiful in a way. A rarity. From the golden age of flying.

  • Harry

    says:

    Scout, your forgetting a few things. They have tankers to help ferry planes to attack Iran, in exigent circumstances. Basically the same thing they used them for to attack Libya in the 70s. Long-range strike

  • Mick181

    says:

    Scout there is no such thing as to many refuelers, even for a small country like Israel. With refueling Aircraft in the air you can take off with a much larger payload, maintain a presence in the area for a lot longer, which is what you want if you are conducting Close Air support. Or waiting for target designation.
    It gives the Commander that many more options as do all Force Multipliers. They are there not just to refuel fighters but AWACS & ISR assets as well.

  • PAUL

    says:

    Yes remember Victory at Entebbe? bit of a long way from Israel to Africa & back… bet those old engines get real smokey on Take off!…

  • Mac Carter

    says:

    Nothing wrong with old engines.
    How about a photo of takeoff complete with black smoke.
    Love that smoke and all the noise

  • BANKS

    says:

    Looks like it needs a paint job! Think it would be able swing past Townsville?

  • Marc

    says:

    Still a sharp looking aircraft.

  • Richard

    says:

    G4george, don’t forget that the IAF has been constantly involved in first class shooting wars, including defence against missile attacks and attacks against missile defences, since at least 1973 – leaving out the wars back to 1948.

    I would not mind betting that Israel has passed on a lot of useful information to the US during that time.

    How you would put a price on that information I do not know but I would not mind betting, taking the geopolitical element into account as well, that the ledger is about equal.

  • Paul Stewart

    says:

    Hayden.R, the KC30 is based on the Airbus A330 while the KC-46 is based on the 767.

  • Hayden.R

    says:

    I ment IFR systems, are they similar?

  • Paul

    says:

    Does anyone know what it was up too?

  • Derrick

    says:

    It flew to Perth, then onto RAAF Pearce then back to Perth. Think it was dropping of equipment.

  • Paul

    says:

    Thanks very much Derrick

  • omegatalon

    says:

    Israeli aerial tanker.. or is this some type of aerial surveillance aircraft because what type of significance would this visit represent as it’s a tanker and nothing special.

  • Derek

    says:

    I think you will find it may have something to do with the Israeli’s trying to sell the RAAF more advanced UAV’s

  • Paul

    says:

    A tanker bringing out UAVS?

  • Damian Lataan

    says:

    I doubt weather this ancient museum piece would fly all this way to Pearce just to allow the Aussie lads there to have a bit of fun ‘ground handling’ it. My bet is that it will be used to upgrade the training of the SASR (Tactical Assault Group West) from the mock up B707 already there to something that is more realistic – the real thing that flies in, taxis around and then allows the TAG to prevent a take-off in a hostage situation after a refuelling stop. If I’m right it’ll be for a week or two or more. If I’m wrong (and occasionally I am) then it’ll be off and away to wherever in a few days.
    Note: As a retired academic it doesn’t bother me if I’m right or wrong. The fun is in seeing if I am or not.

  • Jasonp

    says:

    Derek – what does an IAF 707 have to do with Israeli UAS sales? I can’t see any relevance.

  • Harry

    says:

    Many tanker craft can also double as cargo/lift planes… and so the UAS is being transported inside the tanker (which has its refuelling bladder removed. That simple

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