The Japan Air-Self Defense Force (JASDF) has announced plans to buy four Boeing KC-46 Pegasus military aerial refueling and strategic military transport aircraft to extend the range of its combat aircraft farther into the Pacific, and to defend islands threatened by China.

The KC-46 will improve "Japan's capability to participate in Pacific region security operations;" improve "Japan's national security posture" and "provide Japan a needed capability to a close ally and support U.S. security interests in the region," said the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) in one of its regular notifications to the U.S. Congress.

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The deal is expected to be worth some $1.9 billion, including electronics equipment from Raytheon and missile defense systems from Northrop Grumman. Boeing will act as prime contractor.

JASDF selected the KC-46 over the Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aerial refueling tanker aircraft from Airbus Defense and Space.

The decision by JASDF allows for common operations and training with the U.S. Air Force. Japan was also said to have been drawn to the capability of the KC-46 to refuel the Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor military aircraft the JASDF will soon receive.

The tankers should be deployed by 2020 at a cost of more than $173 million per aircraft.

Last July, Japan contracted four more MV-22B Ospreys in addition to five already ordered. The order brings to nine the number of MV-22Bs Japan has now contracted out of a requirement for 17. JASDF should receive the new tiltrotors by 2020.

Japan ordered its first five MV-22Bs in July 2015 for $332.5 million with deliveries by June 2018. The total value of Japan's planned procurement of 17 aircraft is placed by DSCA at $3 billion.

Once in service, the MV-22Bs will equip an amphibious unit of two expeditionary divisions and two brigades that will be established to respond "without delay in case of any invasion of any remote islands" such as the Senkakus claimed by China.

TagsJapan Air Self-Defense Force, JASDF, Boeing KC-46 Pegasus, U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey