The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has ordered two additional Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft, increasing the Multinational MRTT Fleet (MMF) to 12 aircraft. The two additional aircraft are to be delivered in 2028 and 2029. This expansion coincides with the formal accession of Sweden and Denmark to the MMF program.
Sweden and Denmark's addition to the MMF program expands the base of participating nations and reinforces European sovereignty in critical defence capabilities. Funded by the Netherlands, Luxembourg, with the incorporation of Norway, Germany, Belgium and the Czech Republic, the MMF program has allowed these nations the exclusive right to operate the NATO-owned aircraft in a pooling arrangement providing commonality, interoperability and cost efficiency.
"The expansion of the Multinational MRTT Fleet with two additional aircraft and the addition of Sweden and Denmark to the programme underscores Europe’s commitment to collective defence and strategic autonomy,” Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space, Jean-Brice Dumont, said.
The Airbus A330 MRTT is an aircraft that integrates air-to-air refuelling, strategic airlift, and medical evacuation capabilities. With a fuel capacity of up to 111 tonnes, it will conduct long-range missions, supporting NATO operations across Europe and beyond. Its wide-body fuselage will allegedly allow it to transport up to 300 troops or a payload of up to 45 tonnes.
Additionally, the aircraft can be configured with a dedicated Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) kit that can accommodate stretchers and intensive-care stations. Since its introduction, the A330 MRTT has participated in important missions, including enhanced air policing and aerial surveillance, ensuring the territorial integrity of allied nations.
“Airbus is proud to contribute to this effort by delivering state-of-the-art A330 MRTTs produced and converted in our Toulouse and Getafe facilities. This collaboration exemplifies how European industry can respond effectively to evolving security challenges through innovation and cooperation," Dumont stated.
The aircraft is certified for boom automatic air-to-air refuelling (A3R).