Getafe, June 24, 2025 – The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has placed an order for two additional Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft, bringing the total number of aircraft in the Multinational MRTT Fleet (MMF) to 12. The new aircraft are scheduled for delivery in 2028 and 2029. This expansion aligns with the formal integration of Sweden and Denmark into the MMF program, further enhancing Europe’s strategic autonomy and collaborative defence capabilities.
The inclusion of Sweden and Denmark into the MMF program expands the coalition of participating nations, bolstering European sovereignty in essential defence operations. With financial backing from the Netherlands and Luxembourg, along with the progressive integration of Norway, Germany, Belgium, and the Czech Republic, the MMF program offers these countries exclusive rights to operate NATO-owned aircraft in a pooled format that emphasizes commonality, interoperability, and cost efficiency—a prime illustration of European operational defence collaboration.
Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space, stated, “The expansion of the Multinational MRTT Fleet with the addition of two aircraft and the inclusion of Sweden and Denmark highlights Europe’s commitment to collective defence and strategic autonomy. Airbus is proud to support this initiative by producing and converting state-of-the-art A330 MRTTs at our Toulouse and Getafe facilities. This partnership showcases how the European industrial sector can effectively address evolving security challenges through innovation and cooperation.”
The Airbus A330 MRTT boasts advanced capabilities, including air-to-air refuelling, strategic airlift, and medical evacuation. With a fuel capacity of up to 111 tonnes, it is equipped to undertake long-range missions that support NATO operations throughout Europe and beyond. The aircraft’s wide-body fuselage allows for the transportation of up to 300 personnel or a payload of 45 tonnes. Furthermore, it can be outfitted with a Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) kit designed to accommodate stretchers and intensive-care stations. Since its entry into service, the A330 MRTT has been actively involved in critical missions, such as enhanced air policing and aerial surveillance, safeguarding the territorial integrity of allied nations.
The A330 MRTT represents a fusion of cutting-edge technology and extensive operational experience, with over 325,000 hours logged as a strategic tanker. It is recognized as the world’s first tanker certified for boom automatic air-to-air refueling (A3R), which significantly enhances mission safety and efficiency. These innovative features, combined with its proven track record, position the A330 MRTT as a reliable and versatile asset, commanding 90% of the new-generation tanker market outside the USA, with 84 orders from 17 customers.
Source: Airbus Defence and Space (2025-06-23)
