Seoul, August 19 - South Korea is contemplating the acquisition of Boeing’s KC-46 Pegasus aerial refueling tankers as part of its broader strategy to bolster its defense capabilities, a move that aligns with pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump for Seoul to increase its military spending. The KC-46, a state-of-the-art tanker based on the Boeing 767 airframe, offers advanced refueling capabilities, cargo transport, and medical evacuation functionalities, making it a versatile asset for modern air forces. South Korea’s interest in the KC-46 stems from its need to enhance its air force’s operational reach, particularly to support its growing fleet of F-35 stealth fighters and other advanced aircraft. This potential purchase is seen as a response to regional security challenges, including North Korea’s ongoing missile tests and China’s increasing military assertiveness. The South Korean Ministry of National Defense has been evaluating the KC-46 to replace its aging fleet of four KC-330 tankers, which are based on the Airbus A330 MRTT platform, to ensure interoperability with U.S. forces and maintain a robust deterrence posture on the Korean Peninsula.
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The push for the KC-46 acquisition comes amid renewed demands from the Trump administration for South Korea to shoulder a greater share of its defense burden. Since his first term, Trump has consistently argued that allies like South Korea, which hosts approximately 28,500 U.S. troops, should contribute significantly more to the costs of maintaining this military presence. In 2025, South Korea agreed to a five-year Special Measures Agreement (SMA) with the United States, increasing its contribution to $1.47 billion for 2026, an 8.3% rise from the previous year. However, Trump has publicly suggested that Seoul should pay up to $10 billion annually, a figure that has sparked intense debate in South Korea. The proposed purchase of the KC-46, a U.S.-made platform, could serve as a strategic move to appease these demands while enhancing South Korea’s self-defense capabilities. By investing in American military hardware, Seoul aims to strengthen its alliance with Washington and address Trump’s calls for increased burden-sharing, which he frames as essential for maintaining U.S. military commitments in the region.
South Korea’s defense strategy is also shaped by its regional security environment, where North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs remain a persistent threat. The KC-46 would enable the South Korean Air Force to extend the range and endurance of its fighter jets, allowing for prolonged operations over the Sea of Japan or the Yellow Sea. This capability is critical for countering potential aggression from North Korea, which has continued to test advanced ballistic missiles, and for ensuring operational flexibility in a potential conflict involving China or Russia. Moreover, the KC-46’s ability to refuel U.S. aircraft would enhance joint operations, a key component of the U.S.-South Korea alliance. South Korea’s defense spending, which reached $44.2 billion in 2025 or 2.3% of its GDP, reflects its commitment to modernizing its military. The acquisition of advanced systems like the KC-46 aligns with Seoul’s goal of building a smaller but more technologically advanced force, as outlined in its Defense White Paper, which aims to reduce troop numbers to 500,000 by 2025 while prioritizing high-tech capabilities.
The potential KC-46 purchase, however, is not without challenges. South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense has emphasized a shift toward domestic research and development to reduce reliance on foreign military technology, driven partly by frustrations over the United States’ reluctance to share certain advanced technologies. The cost of the KC-46, estimated at $200 million per unit, also poses a fiscal challenge, particularly as South Korea balances its defense budget with economic pressures and trade negotiations with the U.S., which recently resulted in a deal reducing tariffs from 25% to 15%. Despite these hurdles, the KC-46 acquisition could serve as a dual-purpose strategy: enhancing South Korea’s military autonomy while addressing U.S. demands for greater defense contributions. As Seoul navigates these complex dynamics, the decision to procure the KC-46 will likely reflect a careful balancing act between national security priorities, alliance commitments, and economic considerations in an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape.