NATO Welcomes Its Maiden A330 MRTT from Airbus into the Multinational Fleet
Airbus Delivers First A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport Aircraft for NATO Multinational MRTT Fleet
Airbus has officially handed over the inaugural Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft to the NATO Multinational MRTT Fleet (MMF) at a ceremony in Getafe, Spain. This milestone signifies a crucial step toward the operational deployment of this multinational unit, which includes participation from the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Norway, Germany, Belgium, and the Czech Republic.
The aircraft is set to depart tomorrow for its Main Operating Base situated in Eindhoven, Netherlands. Additionally, the MMF fleet will function from a second location, the Forward Operating Base in Cologne, Germany.
Dirk Hoke, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, stated, “The NATO MMF programme exemplifies the future of defense cooperation and highlights the success of the pooling and sharing initiative. As a trusted ally for military forces, Airbus takes immense pride in showcasing its A330 MRTT, which stands prepared to enhance capabilities and interoperability for NATO partner nations.”
Peter Dohmen, General Manager of the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), remarked, “The MMF programme showcases remarkable collaboration among nations, the EU, and NATO, as well as strong teamwork between OCCAR and NSPA. This cutting-edge capability will empower participating nations to conduct a range of operations across multiple domains. We appreciate the nations’ trust in NSPA as the system manager and wish them success in their future missions.”
Matteo Bisceglia, Director of the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR), expressed, “The delivery of the first MMF aircraft marks a pivotal achievement in the MMF ADS acquisition contract overseen by OCCAR. We are proud to have delivered the aircraft on schedule, ensuring it meets performance standards without incurring any additional costs. The success is a testament to the MMF Nations’ trust in NSPA and OCCAR and the dedicated efforts of the experienced MMF team.”
The MMF programme is financed by the six nations involved, granting them exclusive rights to operate the NATO-owned aircraft through a pooling arrangement. The A330 MRTT will be tailored for in-flight refueling, passenger and cargo transportation, and medical evacuation missions.
Initiated by the European Defence Agency (EDA) in 2012, the MMF programme is managed by OCCAR during the acquisition phase and the initial two years of in-service support as the Contract Executing Agent on behalf of NSPA. Subsequently, NSPA will oversee the complete life-cycle management of the fleet.
Combining advanced technology with operational insights gained from over 200,000 flight hours, the A330 MRTT demonstrates true multi-role capabilities. It has established interoperability with receivers globally, as evidenced by its role in MEDEVAC and strategic transport missions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
