Spain receives its first Airbus A330 MRTT tanker aircraft
With 18 hours of autonomy and dual capability, the A330 MRTT strengthens the projection capacity of the Spanish Air and Space Force.
The Spanish Air and Space Force formally welcomed its first Airbus A330 MRTT (Multi-Role Tanker Transport) on Friday during a ceremony held at Airbus facilities in Getafe, where the aircraft was officially delivered. It will operate out of Torrejón de Ardoz Air Base in Madrid as part of Wing 45.
This aircraft is the first of three units ordered in November 2021 by Spain’s Ministry of Defense, as part of a broader strategy to modernize its strategic airlift and in-flight refueling fleet.
The A330 MRTT is designed for multiple missions, including aerial refueling, troop and cargo transport, and medical evacuations. According to Airbus, it is currently the only new-generation tanker aircraft in active service worldwide.
Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space, stated: “With the entry into service of this first A330 MRTT, the Spanish Air and Space Force now has the best tanker aircraft in the world. The MRTT will provide not only interoperability with allied nations and strategic autonomy, but also significantly enhance Spain’s capabilities for power projection, aeromedical evacuation, and in-flight refueling.”
The Spanish A330 MRTT is equipped with a state-of-the-art hose and drogue refueling system and boasts more than 18 hours of endurance with a range of up to 16,000 kilometers. It can carry up to 111 tonnes of fuel, allowing it to conduct refueling missions without needing additional tanks.
Thanks to its wide-body design, the aircraft can also transport up to 300 troops or a payload of 45 tonnes, and it can be configured with MEDEVAC (aeromedical evacuation) kits, enabling the installation of stretchers and onboard intensive care units.
According to Airbus, the remaining two A330 MRTTs destined for Spain are currently undergoing conversion at the same Getafe facility. Before this, the Spanish Air and Space Force had already operated these aircraft in their original, non-converted configuration during missions such as Exercise Pacific Skies 2024 and the evacuation of Spanish citizens from Niger and Sudan.
With this addition, Spain strengthens its operational autonomy and interoperability within multinational structures like NATO and the European Union, while also enhancing its ability to respond to emergencies and international deployments.
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