The first Spanish Airbus A330 MRTT (Multi-Role Tanker Transport) has been commissioned into service with the 45th Wing of the Spanish Air and Space Force. The aircraft is the first of three multi-mission tanker and transport planes procured by the Spanish Ministry of Defence in November 2021.
The aircraft will operate from Torrejón de Ardoz Air Base, Madrid and was delivered from the Airbus facilities in Getafe (Madrid), where the A330 MRTT aircraft conversion centre is based.
“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 Airbus A330 MRTT designated for the Spanish Air and Space Force, features an advanced hose-and-basket refuelling system, with an endurance of over 18 flight hours and a range of 16,000 kilometres. It stands as the sole operational new-generation tanker and strategic airlifter currently available.
With a substantial basic fuel load capacity of 111 tonnes, the A330 MRTT is capable of executing aerial refuelling missions without requiring supplementary fuel tanks. Its wide-body design enables it to function as a transport aircraft, accommodating up to 300 troops or a maximum payload of 45 tonnes (99,000 lb).
Furthermore, the aircraft can be outfitted with a specialized Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) kit, facilitating the installation of various stretcher modules and intensive care stations.
The second and third Airbus A330 MRTTs for Spain are presently undergoing conversion in Getafe, Madrid.
The 45th Wing of the Spanish Air and Space Force has utilized these unconverted A330s for transporting military personnel and equipment, notably during the Pacific Skies exercise in 2024 and for the evacuation of Spanish citizens from Niger and Sudan.
