ST. LOUIS, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- The Japanese Defense Ministry has received delivery of an aerial refueling tanker from Boeing that completes an order supporting the Japan Tanker program.
U.S. company Boeing and Japan-based partner Itochu Corp. announced the final KC-767 aerial refueling tanker delivery to defense authorities, which completes the contract on schedule and marks a milestone for the companies.
The Japanese Ministry of Defense ordered four of the Boeing-made KC-767 aircraft, a military aerial refueling and strategic transport plane, in a move to upgrade Japan's mission critical refueling capabilities.
"Providing Japan with the fourth and final KC-767 tanker on-schedule and on-cost, as we did the previous two KC-767s, means a great deal to our company and our relationship with this important customer," Dennis Muilenburg, Boeing Defense, Space and Security president and chief executive officer, said in a statement.
"Because of these tankers, Japan now has the capability to perform vital self-defense, refueling and airlift missions. Also, when necessary, it possesses the capability to perform critical humanitarian and disaster-relief missions across the Pacific region and beyond using the KC-767."
