DefenseFrance retires final KC-135 tankers after more than 60 years of service
The French Air and Space Force (Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace) held a historic ceremony on Monday, June 30, 2025, to mark the end of operations of the legendary K/C-135 tankers.
The event, held at Istres Air Base 125, celebrated the end of a mission that lasted more than six decades, with the retirement of the last three KC-135Rs still active in the French fleet.
The program included a conference on the 60-year history of the C-135 in the Strategic Air Forces, a static display of the aircraft and a military ceremony accompanied by a special flypast with a KC-135 escorted by the Patrouille de France, the official aerobatic group of the Air Force.
The symbolic closing of the cycle was made with a speech by General Stéphane Virem, commander of the Strategic Air Forces, before an audience of around 1,500 people.
With the retirement of the KC-135s, the 4/31 “Sologne” aerial refueling squadron, the last in France equipped with the type, was also deactivated.
The in-flight refueling mission is now entirely transferred to the A330 MRTT Phénix fleet, multi-role jets with greater range, cargo capacity and versatility for different operations, including transport and medical evacuation.
Original C-135F out of service since 2023
France received 12 Boeing C-135Fs for rigid boom aerial refueling missions from 1964 during the government of Charles de Gaulle.
The aircraft supported the fleet of Mirage IV fighter-bombers, which were tasked with delivering nuclear weapons for the Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace.
Despite following the original KC-135 design, the C-135Fs underwent modifications to meet the needs of the French Air Force, including the ability to carry up to 102 passengers or 40 stretchers.
In 1986, France upgraded the remaining 11 aircraft (one of the C-135Fs crashed in 1972), which received more powerful and fuel-efficient CFM56-2B engines – the jets were designated C-135FR.
Eleven years later, the Air Force acquired three KC-135Rs from the USAF, with rigid booms and also hose and drogue pods.
While the initial C-135FRs were retired by 2023, the KC-135R remained in service until the A330 MRTT fleet was completed.
All of the tankers were sold to the private company Metrea, which provides aerial refueling services to several countries.
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