Multinational MRTT Fleet Increases Flight Hours, Airframes for NATO Mission

The NATO Support and Procurement Agency doubled down on its Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), increasing the Multinational MRTT Fleet (MMF) to 10 aircraft.

The news comes hot on the heels of a boost to the unit's operational availability, with a committment to provide another 1,100 flight hours per year. The MMF fleet provides a range of logistical support throughout the EU, with strategic transport, air-to-air refueling, and medevac capabilities to Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Norway. Each is a member of the MoU to share proportional costs of fleet operation, flying 7 A330 MRTTs as they make their way to Full Operational Capability in mid-2024. Right before news of the order broke, the fleet announced Initial Operational Capability for the MRTT.
 
“Since the arrival of the first aircraft in 2020 and especially since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the MMF is protecting European sovereignty and showing its capabilities as a multirole tanker,” said Jean Brice Dumont, Head of Military Air Systems at Airbus Defence and Space. “With this new order, NSPA has already acquired one out of four optional MRTTs requested beyond the nine aircraft contracted earlier, demonstrating the level of customer satisfaction.”

FMI: www.airbus.com