Two More Nations Join Euro-Tanker Fleet

The slow process of getting European nations to commit to a joint fleet of A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transports continues. Airbus Defence and Space said that Germany and Norway have joined Luxembourg and the Netherlands in the scheme, by signing an MoU at NATO headquarters in Brusssels on June 29. It is now five years since the European Defence Agency (EDA) initiated the Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport Fleet (MMF) project.

The first two aircraft have already been ordered for delivery from Airbus Defence and Space’s tanker conversion line at Getafe near Madrid in 2020. Five additional A330s will now be ordered, and that order will include options for up to four more. The aircraft will be configured for in-flight refueling (from centerline boom and underwing pods); the transport of passengers and cargo; and medical evacuation flights.

Europe’s cooperative defense procurement agency (French acronym OCCAR) will manage the MMF acquisition phase. The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) will be responsible for the complete life-cycle management of the fleet.

OCCAR director Arturo Alfonso-Meiriño said: “The MMF program has broken new ground in bringing together the combined capabilities of the EDA, NSPA and OCCAR as one team, with each organization working within its particular sphere of expertise. This important initiative…still includes options for the participation of even more countries.” Last year, Airbus said that Belgium and Poland were also expected to join the MMF scheme. Earlier, Hungary, Portugal and Spain were also said to be candidates.