Background
The first RAF Vickers VC10 aircraft entered service in 1966The project was to provide a replacement of the RAF's fleet of Vickers VC10s from 2008 and the Lockheed TriStars around 2012. The chosen aircraft will operate from the same RAF air transport hub, RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire as the replaced aircraft.
The need for a new fleet of air-to-air refuelling aircraft was first identified in 1997. The use of PFI rather than purchase was chosen in 2000. The FSTA will be a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) where the RAF will pay for aerial refuelling and air transport missions as required. The RAF will continue to retain responsibility for all military missions, whilst the contractor will own, manage and maintain the aircraft and also provide training facilities and some personnel. The private company will also be able to earn extra revenue by using aircraft for commercial operations when not required by the RAF — the most suitable of which would be leased air-refuelling missions for other European air forces. The RAF however will always have the "first call" on aircraft, being able to mobilise the entire fleet in times of crisis.
Read more about this topic: Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft
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