NATO Boosts Capabilities with New Airbus A330 MRTT Acquisition
Airbus has secured a firm order for the Airbus A330 MRTT (Multi-Role Tanker Transport) from OCCAR, the European entity overseeing cooperative armament programmes.
This order, placed by OCCAR on behalf of NATO’s Support & Procurement Agency (NSPA), aligns with Luxembourg’s commitment to enhance its involvement in the Multinational MRTT Fleet (MMF) programme. The flight hours contracted have dramatically increased from 200 to 1,200. With this addition, the MMF fleet will grow to a total of nine aircraft, incorporating three additional options originally outlined in the contract.
The latest order follows the successful delivery of the first two aircraft, and training and operational activities have already commenced. This expansion will significantly bolster the availability of the MMF fleet, allowing NATO nations to better meet their requirements for air-to-air refueling, strategic transport, and medical evacuation.
Financed by the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Norway, Germany, Belgium, and the Czech Republic, the MMF programme exemplifies successful European operational defence cooperation. These nations hold exclusive rights to operate the NATO-owned aircraft in a pooling arrangement. The aircraft will be equipped for in-flight refueling, passenger and cargo transport, as well as medical evacuation missions.
Initiated by the European Defence Agency (EDA) in 2012, the MMF programme is managed by OCCAR during the acquisition phase, acting as the Contract Executing Agent for NSPA. Once the acquisition phase is complete, NSPA will oversee the entire life-cycle management of the fleet.
The A330 MRTT showcases next-generation tanker technology combined with operational insights gathered from over 200,000 flight hours. This aircraft is interoperable with various receivers worldwide and proves its multi-role capabilities, notably during recent MEDEVAC and strategic transport operations linked to the COVID-19 pandemic.
