Thursday, July 11, 2024 Metrea expands fleet, acquires French Air & Space Force tankers becoming world’s largest commercial refueler Metrea has finalized the acquisition of the French Air and Space Forces’ (FASF) KC-135 aerial refueling fleet. This deal, officially signed on May 17, 2024, encompasses all fourteen of FASF’s KC-135 tankers, including the KC-/C-135FR and KC-/C-135RG models. The FASF is transitioning to A330-based tankers, leading to the divestment of their KC-135 fleet.
“With this acquisition, Metrea is putting even more ‘skin in the game’ to ensure that we have the necessary fleet capacity to provide our partners with the commercial aerial refueling support they require for training, exercises, and force movement,” said Jon “Ty” Thomas, Head of Metrea’s Air & Space Group. “As the only provider of KC-135 commercial refueling, we ensure that US, allied, and partners forces can train as they are very likely to operate in a contingency — refueling behind KC-135 tankers which remain far and away the most prevalent AAR tanker in service today and for the foreseeable future.” In a two-part deal, Metrea received the first 11 of 14 French Air and Space Force KC-135 tankers on June 26, 2024.
These included both the FR and RG variants. The remaining 3 aircraft will be delivered at a later date. This acquisition bolsters Metrea’s existing fleet of 4 KC-135Rs acquired from Singapore, solidifying their position as the world’s largest commercial .
