US‑Malay joint operation: KC‑135 refuels russian Su‑30s

On November 12, 2024, at the RMAF Subang Air Base in Malaysia, a unique aerial refueling operation took place. The American KC-135 tanker, from the 141st Air Refueling Wing of the Washington Air National Guard, refueled three Malaysian Su-30MKM fighters. This event marks the first publicly known instance of a USAF plane refueling Russian Su-30 jets mid-flight.

According to the U.S. Air Force, cooperation with Malaysia, which began in 2017, aims to enhance the interoperability and operational capabilities of partners in the Indo-Pacific region. Joint activities, such as this refueling, strengthen initiatives that leverage specific American capabilities and those developed in collaboration with allies. "Through such ventures, we can effectively utilize our strategic and cultural advantages to achieve shared goals in the Indo-Pacific," stated USAF representatives.

According to The Aviationist, the operation utilized the Multi-Point Refueling System (MPRS), which allows for the refueling of different types of aircraft thanks to two refueling stations located on the wings. Malaysian Su-30s, like other aircraft from the US Navy and US Marine Corps, are equipped with an IFR probe, requiring hose refueling, which differentiates them from USAF aircraft that use the boom system. It's worth noting that the boom is a rigid telescopic extension operated by the crew of the flying tanker.

The MPRS system on the KC-135 provides the capability to refuel in both boom and hose modes, making the tanker versatile and able to simultaneously serve different units. The KC-135, initially designed exclusively for boom refueling, gained this capability in the 1990s during operations in Iraq when the MPRS system facilitated efficient refueling of many allied aircraft. The KC-135 has tanks that hold nearly 90,000 kilograms of aviation fuel.