The NATO Support and Acquisition Agency (NSPA) has commissioned two new Airbus A330 MRTT aircraft to reinforce the multinational fleet of tanker aircraft (MMF), raising the total of units to 12.
According to a statement published on Airbus’s official website, deliveries are scheduled for 2028 and 2029. The expansion of the fleet is a direct result of the recent adhesion of Sweden and Finland to NATO and the MMF program – a measure that strengthens European strategic autonomy and the collective defense capabilities of the Alliance.
Video: Watch the transformation of the first A330 MRTT to Spain!
In addition to the existing operational bases in Eindhoven (Netherlands) and Colony (Germany), the creation of a third advanced base in Denmark is expected to create. The new center will improve air mobility in the Nordic countries, increase the readiness for medical evacuations and optimize the ability to refuel in flight in the region. The initiative expands the strategic flexibility of NATO operations in northern Europe.
The Airbus A330 MRTT is a multifunctional platform that combines air replenishment, strategic troop and cargo transportation, and medical evacuation capacity (MEDEVAC). With capacity of up to 111 tons of fuel, the aircraft is ideal for long range missions and tactical support anywhere in Europe and beyond.
Thanks to its wide fuselage, the A330 MRTT can carry up to 300 soldiers or 45 tons of payload. The model can also be configured with complete medical kits, including stretchers and intensive care units.
By 2025, Airbus had already produced more than 60 such aircraft, with orders exceeding 70 units – operated by 11 countries and a multinational NATO alliance. The growing demand highlights the strategic importance of the A330 MRTT as a versatile and reliable solution for the Atlantic Alliance missions.
Sources and images: x @airbusdefence | Airbus. This content was created with the help of AI and revised by the editorial team.
