Aviation News July 3, 2025 – On June 30, 2025 the Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace (French Air and Space Force) has officially retired its last KC-135RG Stratotanker, marking the end of an era for the nation’s aerial refueling capabilities. The farewell ceremony was held at Base Aérienne 125 (BA125) in Istres/Le Tubé.
Originally acquired second-hand from the U.S. Air Force in the late 1990s, the KC-135RG was part of a long-standing French tanker fleet that began with the delivery of C-135F models in the mid-1960s. These earlier aircraft were later upgraded to C-135FR standard between 1985 and 1988, featuring CFM International F108 turbofan engines and later enhancements including Multi-Point Refueling System (MPRS) wing pods.
France began phasing out the C-135FR fleet in 2020, with the first aircraft retired in October 2020 and the final one withdrawn by December 2023. The KC-135RG’s official retirement on 30 June 2025 represents the complete transition away from the Boeing Stratotanker platform.
The event closely follows the delivery of the 13th Airbus A330 MRTT “Phénix” (Multi-Role Tanker Transport) to the 31e Escadre Aérienne de Ravitaillement et de Transport Stratégiques (EARTS). This aircraft is one of three additional A330s procured through a 2020 government initiative to support the aviation sector. Two of these were acquired pre-owned from Avianca and later converted for tanker operations.
Although now officially retired from regular service, the KC-135RG is set to make one final operational appearance—participating in the upcoming 14 July Bastille Day military parade over the Champs-Élysées in Paris.
The conclusion of the KC-135RG’s service marks the end of six decades of Stratotanker operations in France, ushering in a new era with the modern and more capable A330 MRTT Phénix fleet.
Photo Rob Vogelaar
