Background & Purpose: Fuel supply logistics form a critical element of defense readiness, serving as a backbone for sustaining military force mobility and operational continuity. In modern defense environments, where rapid technological advancements and diverse threats—ranging from armed conflicts to geopolitical instability—pose substantial risks, the resilience of the fuel supply chain is essential. This study aims to develop a robust framework for evaluating and enhancing the resilience of the defense fuel supply chain, with a particular focus on aerial liquid fuel tanks. These tanks, as high-capacity storage units within fuel logistics systems, play a vital role in ensuring uninterrupted fuel availability and distribution. As such, examining their vulnerability and resilience is central to bolstering defense capabilities and supporting national security objectives.
Methodology: This research applies a mixed-methods approach, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to yield comprehensive insights. The qualitative portion involves extensive library studies on defense logistics resilience, while the quantitative segment employs the fuzzy Delphi method to address uncertainties and complex subject matter effectively. This Delphi approach, recognized for its iterative refinement of expert input, allows for a systematic consensus on key vulnerabilities and resilience measures specific to fuel tank storage within defense logistics. This method ensures the accuracy and practical relevance of resilience strategies through validation by field experts.
Findings: The study identifies four primary components for building resilience in the defense fuel logistics chain: identifying critical infrastructure, assessing vulnerabilities, scenario modeling, and developing targeted response measures. Each of these steps supports a structured approach to risk management. At three critical levels—strategic, operational, and tactical— aerial liquid fuel tanks are shown to be essential. Strategically, tanks provide stable, long-term storage capacity vital for extended defense operations. Operationally, tanks in developed theaters—often integrated with commercial sectors—serve as high-value points in the supply chain due to expanded access to resources and infrastructure, enhancing their resilience. For airbases, the critical nature of tanks is heightened due to the high-quality fuel required for sensitive military equipment.
Conclusion: Enhancing the resilience of aerial liquid fuel tanks within defense fuel logistics requires a multi-faceted approach. This study recommends several key strategies: targeted employee training to improve readiness and adaptive responses at critical storage sites; expanding storage capacity and dispersing distribution centers to protect against spatially concentrated attacks and natural threats; and investing in resilient infrastructure to reinforce tank structures. Diversifying fuel suppliers further supports supply continuity, reducing reliance on single-source locations. In addition, crisis response protocols are crucial, as they provide guidance for restoring normal operations swiftly in the event of direct attacks on fuel storage. By implementing these measures—ranging from workforce readiness to infrastructure investments and crisis protocols—the defense fuel logistics system is better equipped to withstand diverse threats, ensuring sustained military functionality and reinforcing national defense capabilities.