NATO has ordered two additional Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft, raising the total number in the Multinational MRTT Fleet (MMF) to 12. The newly ordered aircraft are scheduled for delivery in 2028 and 2029.
This development coincides with the official accession of Sweden and Denmark to the MMF program—an initiative that exemplifies collaborative European defense and operational efficiency.
MMF Program
The MMF, funded and operated by nations including the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Norway, Belgium, and the Czech Republic, provides participating countries exclusive rights to operate the fleet in a shared pooling arrangement. This structure ensures interoperability, cost-efficiency, and mission readiness, reinforcing NATO’s commitment to shared strategic assets.
“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,” said Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space.
Airbus A330 MRTT
The Airbus A330 MRTT is a modern dual-role platform that offers air-to-air refueling, strategic transport, and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) capabilities. It carries up to 111 tonnes of fuel, 300 troops, or 45 tonnes of cargo, and can be rapidly configured for intensive care missions with its modular MEDEVAC kits.
With more than 325,000 operational flight hours, the A330 MRTT has supported missions across Europe and globally, including enhanced air policing, crisis response, and aerial surveillance. It also stands as the world’s first certified tanker with automatic boom air-to-air refueling (A3R), increasing safety and efficiency during operations.
Airbus has received 84 orders from 17 customers, commanding 90% of the new-generation tanker market outside the United States.
