Delivered from Airbus’s Getafe conversion centre, the A330 MRTT introduces significant capabilities in strategic transport, in-flight refuelling, and medical evacuation.
“With the entry into service of this first A330 MRTT, the Spanish Air and Space Force now has the world’s best tanker aircraft in its fleet,” said Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space. “The MRTT will not only provide interoperability with allied nations and strategic autonomy, but will also significantly increase projection, aerial evacuation and in-flight refuelling capabilities.”
The aircraft is equipped with a hose-and-basket refuelling system and has an operational endurance of more than 18 hours, with a range of 16,000 kilometres. Its fuel load capacity of 111 tonnes enables long-range refuelling missions without additional tanks.
As a wide-body platform, the A330 MRTT can also transport up to 300 troops or 45 tonnes of cargo, enhancing Spain’s global military mobility. It can be fitted with a MEDEVAC kit, allowing flexible use in humanitarian and medical evacuation operations.
The remaining two A330 MRTTs are currently being converted at the Getafe facility, with delivery expected in the near future. Before conversion, the Spanish Air and Space Force employed these aircraft for missions such as the 2024 Pacific Skies exercise and the evacuation of Spanish citizens from Niger and Sudan.
