Spain’s defense ministry has formally signed the order with Airbus for the acquisition of three Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft. As well as the conversions, the contract covers spares, ground support equipment, training, and in-service support.
The aircraft were formerly operated by Spain’s national airline, Iberia, and will undergo conversion to MRTT standard at the Airbus plant at Getafe in Madrid’s southern suburbs. In addition to the refueling system, the aircraft will be outfitted to accept a medical evacuation kit.
The first of the three aircraft will be handed over shortly in a transport configuration. It returned to Spain in late October after being painted in Ejército del Aire (EdA, Spanish air force) colors at Châteauroux in France. It is due to be converted to full MRTT standard in 2024. In the meantime, the second aircraft is scheduled for delivery as an MRTT in 2023, with the third due for handover in 2025.
Spain has become the ninth customer for the A330MRTT, joining Australia, France, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, UAE, UK, and NATO’s Multinational MRTT Fleet. The global fleet of 51 MRTTs has now flown more than 250,000 hours.
In EdA service, the fully-converted A330MRTT will be designated as the TK.24 and will serve with 452 Escuadrón of Grupo 45 at Torrejón, east of Madrid. As well as accommodating 245,000 pounds of fuel, the MRTT can be configured to carry up to 300 passengers, 45 tonnes of cargo, or a combination of both. Grupo 45 currently parents 451 Escuadrón, which flies the Dassault Falcon 900 (T.18) and Airbus A310 (T.22) on VIP transport duties. The group previously flew four Boeing 707s, including two TK.17 tanker transports. The last 707 was retired in September 2016.
Separately, the Spanish government submitted a formal request for information earlier this month regarding the acquisition of 50 Lockheed Martin F-35s, split equally between the F-35A to replace some of the EdA’s EF-18 Hornet fleet and the STOVL F-35B to replace the Spanish navy’s EAV-8B Matadors (Harrier IIs).