Refueling Aircraft Market Report 2026

The refueling aircraft market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $12.14 billion in 2025 to $12.86 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing demand for extended-range military aircraft operations requiring aerial refueling support, early deployment of hydrant dispensers to streamline ground-based aircraft refueling, growth in global military exercises driving the need for efficient fuel transfer systems, advancements in refueling safety mechanisms improving operational reliability, expansion of commercial aviation fueling infrastructure supporting high traffic volumes.

The refueling aircraft market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $15.66 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing modernization of military air fleets increasing demand for advanced refueling equipment, rising adoption of mini hydrant dispensers for flexible and rapid ground refueling operations, development of automated and digitalized fuel management systems enhancing operational efficiency, increasing investment in multi-mission tanker aircraft programs driving associated refueling equipment demand, expansion of global air mobility and strategic transport operations requiring improved refueling capabilities. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for extended-range military operations, rising deployment of multi-mission tanker aircraft, growing use of standardized refueling components across fleets, expansion of commercial aviation fueling infrastructure, shift toward lightweight composites in refueling equipment manufacturing.

The rising number of air travelers is expected to drive the growth of the refueling aircraft market in the coming years. Air travelers are individuals who travel by airplane. The increase in air travel is influenced by several factors, including the growing demand for efficient transportation, rising globalization and business travel, and technological advancements in aircraft and airport services. As more people travel by air, there is a greater need to operate aircraft more frequently, which increases fuel consumption and the demand for aircraft refueling. For example, in December 2025, Eurostat, a Luxembourg-based government agency, reported that in 2023, the number of passengers transported by air increased by 19.3% compared to 2022. Therefore, the rising frequency of air travelers is supporting the expansion of the refueling aircraft market.

Companies in the refueling aircraft market are adopting strategic partnerships to advance aerial refueling innovation. Strategic partnerships involve companies combining resources and strengths to achieve shared goals and mutual benefits. For instance, in June 2023, the Boeing Company, a US-based manufacturer of aircraft and refueling aircraft, announced a partnership with Aurora Flight Sciences to further develop next-generation aerial refueling capabilities. Boeing and Aurora invested in new mission technologies for current and future mobility systems. They also announced additional investments in enhanced defense systems and countermeasures designed for next-generation refueling and transport platforms, such as the KC-46A Pegasus. As part of the partnership, Aurora is responsible for initial research and conceptual design of composite components to increase operational survivability during aerial refueling and mobility missions. The effort also includes production and manufacturing activities in Aurora, Mississippi. Aurora Flight Sciences, a US-based subsidiary of Boeing, specializes in manufacturing unmanned aerial vehicles.

In July 2024, Metrea, a US-based defense and aerospace company, acquired 14 KC-/C-135 aerial refueling tankers from the French Air and Space Force (FASF) for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition is intended to strengthen Metrea’s capability to provide commercial aerial refueling support for military training, exercises, and troop movements. The French Air and Space Force (FASF), based in France, conducts a wide range of aerial military operations essential to national defense and security.

Major companies operating in the refueling aircraft market are Lockheed Martin Corporation, Eaton Corporation, The Flofuel Group, Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group, General Electric Aviation systems, Cobham Limited, Airbus SE, The Boeing Company, GE Aviation, Refuel International Ltd., Garsite LLC, BAE Systems plc, Rostec State Corporation, United Aircraft Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., Safran SA, Parker Hannifin Corporation, Honeywell International Inc., Meggitt plc, Dassault Aviation SA, Embraer SA, Bombardier Inc., Textron Inc., Leonardo SpA, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., General Dynamics Corp.

Europe was the largest region in the refueling aircraft market in 2025. The regions covered in the refueling aircraft market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs are impacting the refueling aircraft market by increasing the cost of aircraft-grade metals, propulsion components, and specialized refueling equipment, thereby raising manufacturing and integration expenses for hydrant dispensers, refueling pods, and boom systems. Military and commercial segments particularly in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific are most affected due to reliance on imported aerospace components. While tariffs disrupt supply chains and slow procurement cycles, they also incentivize domestic production, technology localization, and development of cost-effective refueling systems in several regions.

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Refueling aircraft, also known as tanker aircraft, are specifically designed for transferring fuel to other aircraft during flight, extending their range or preparing them for subsequent missions. This capability allows aircraft to stay airborne for longer periods, resulting in fuel and time savings, especially during extended manned flights.

The primary refueling methods for refueling aircraft include air-to-air refueling, the flying boom method, the probe and drogue method, the tanking method, and other refueling mediums. Air-to-air refueling, also referred to as aerial refueling, involves transferring fuel from a military tanker aircraft to another military aircraft, which can be a fixed-wing jet or a helicopter. This process enhances an aircraft's range or time in the air. Various components, such as aviation refuelers, dispensers, refueling pods, probes and drogues, and others, are employed in different types of aircraft, including commercial airplanes, military airplanes, combat aircraft, non-combat aircraft, and helicopters.

The countries covered in the refueling aircraft market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The refueling aircraft market consists of sales of hydrant dispensers and mini hydrant dispenser. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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