The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has expanded its fleet by ordering two additional Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft. This move will increase the Multinational MRTT Fleet (MMF) to a total of 12 aircraft, with deliveries expected in 2028 and 2029. The expansion coincides with Sweden and Denmark formally joining the MMF programme, enhancing European strategic autonomy and collaborative defense capabilities.
The inclusion of Sweden and Denmark broadens the group of participating nations, reinforcing European sovereignty in critical defense areas. The MMF programme is funded by several countries including the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Norway, Germany, Belgium, and the Czech Republic. It allows these nations exclusive rights to operate NATO-owned aircraft through a pooling arrangement that emphasizes commonality, interoperability, and cost efficiency.
Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space stated: “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.” He added that “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.”
The Airbus A330 MRTT is designed for air-to-air refueling, strategic airlift, and medical evacuation missions. It can carry up to 111 tonnes of fuel for long-range operations supporting NATO across Europe. The wide-body fuselage can transport up to 300 troops or a payload of up to 45 tonnes. It also offers a Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) kit for stretchers and intensive-care stations. Since its introduction, it has participated in missions such as enhanced air policing and aerial surveillance.
With over 325,000 hours of operational experience as a strategic tanker, the A330 MRTT features advanced technology like boom automatic air-to-air refueling (A3R), improving safety during missions. It holds a significant share of the new-generation tanker market outside the USA with 84 orders from 17 customers.
