Singapore, 4 February 2026 — Airbus, in collaboration with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), has achieved a significant milestone in defense aviation by obtaining full certification for the Automatic Air-to-Air Refuelling (A3R) capability on the Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT). This landmark certification was granted by the Spanish National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA) following a thorough flight-test campaign that highlighted the maturity and reliability of the A3R system.
The certification sets a global precedent, marking the RSAF as the first air force to implement A3R on their A330 MRTTs, specifically operated by the 112 Squadron. This achievement establishes a new standard for automated refueling operations in military aviation.
Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, stated, “The certification of A3R with Singapore is a significant achievement and a clear demonstration of what long-term partnership can deliver. Singapore has consistently led the adoption and co-development of next-generation aerospace technologies, and Airbus is proud to support the RSAF and DSTA in fielding a capability that will shape the future of air-to-air refuelling.”
Ng Chad-son, Chief Executive of the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), remarked, “Achieving full certification of A3R is a significant achievement as Singapore’s A330 MRTTs can now perform automatic refuelling both in daytime and at night. DSTA worked closely with the RSAF and Airbus to advance innovation, enhance safety and reduce crew workload. This attainment showcases effective technology integration and sets a new benchmark for automatic aerial refuelling globally.”
Major-General Kelvin Fan, Chief of the Air Force at the RSAF, expressed satisfaction with the collaboration: “The RSAF is pleased to have partnered with DSTA and Airbus in pioneering the world’s first A3R capability. This development will enhance the RSAF’s aerial refuelling operations, contributing to greater operational effectiveness. It also reflects the RSAF’s commitment to working with industry partners to innovate and remain at the forefront of technology.”
The collaborative initiative to develop the A3R system began in 2020, encompassing rigorous day and night flight missions, expanded flight envelopes, and coordination with various receiver aircraft types to ensure comprehensive mission readiness. Flight trials were conducted in both Spain and Singapore, with the RSAF providing A330 MRTTs along with F-16s and F-15s for testing purposes.
As an innovation under Airbus’s SMART MRTT vision, the A3R system leverages advanced automation and computer vision technologies for automatic detection, tracking, and engagement of receiver aircraft without manual input. This feature significantly reduces operator workload while enhancing mission safety and operational flexibility for air forces utilizing the A330 MRTT.
Source: Airbus Defence and Space (2026-02-03)
