The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is increasing the quantity of sustainable aviation fuel it sources from World Fuel Services through a new agreement for 5.2 million liters (1.4 million gallons). The agreement announced by the U.S.-based supplier on Thursday follows an earlier contract to supply 4 million liters for British military forces between November 2023 and February 2024.
The fuel supplied is a 40 percent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blend sourced from Neste, with the renewable part of the feedstock being produced from used cooking oil or animal fat. The new order covers supplies between July and September and is part of the MoD’s carbon reduction efforts under its Defence Operation Energy Strategy published in December 2023.
The Royal Air Force (RAF) is taking the leading role in this strategy, which is intended to align with the UK Department for Transport’s Jet Zero commitment. “Establishing the routine procurement of aviation fuel blended with SAF is a critical early step to achieving Defence’s Net Zero Aviation strategy,” explained air vice-marshal Shaun Harris. “This has been developed to improve the resilience of Defence’s energy supply chains, as well as achieving the UK government’s carbon dioxide emissions reduction trajectory from 2020 to 2050.”
World Fuel Services is stepping up its efforts to help military aircraft transition to SAF by expanding the supply chain. “Our experience in defense fuel supply chains was honed in Afghanistan, where we supported NATO,” said John Wynn, the company’s senior v-p for government solutions. “Most recently, we were awarded the Australian Defence Forces’ deployable bulk fuel distribution system. We applaud the UK RAF for their leading efforts demonstrated by raising the bar with larger volumes and longer commitments.”
Under the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, the U.S. Department of Defense has been given a year to choose two test sites to be used for a SAF use pilot program. The department is required to produce a plan for U.S. military aircraft to use at least a 10 percent SAF blend at these bases by 2028.
Since 2015, World Fuel has delivered nearly 40 million gallons of SAF to business and commercial aviation operators worldwide.