RSAF Becomes A Major Airbus A330 MRTT Operator As Saudi Arabia Buys 4 More

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has inked a deal to purchase another four Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) for its air force. They will be modified to carry out air-to-air refueling and transport missions. While many air forces around the world have modest air-to-air refueling capabilities, the US Air Force tanker fleet is truly massive and is currently made up of four types of tankers.

Royal Saudi Air Force orders 4 more Airbus tankers

According to an Airbus statement, the first of the four aircraft will enter into conversion at the beginning of 2025 and will join the Royal Saudi Air Force in 2027. Saudi Arabia’s tankers are operated by the No. 24 Squadron and the eventual delivery will bring its fleet to 10 A330 MRTTs.

Photo: Airbus

“This new order demonstrates the high level of customer satisfaction with the A330 MRTT. This is the third contract signed by Saudi Arabia for the A330 MRTT, making the RSAF one of the largest MRTT operators in the world.” Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space

The contract includes logistics support, spare parts, training, and other supportive services. The tankers will have hose and drogue pods, a boom system, and a refueling receptacle. The deal will also include some transfer of technology and know-how as part of the Saudi plan to spend over 50% of its military spending on domestic equipment and services by 2030.

As the most capable new-generation tanker, combat-proven and with unique multi-role capabilities, the A330 MRTT – based on the successful A330-200 – is the benchmark for multi-role tankers. – Airbus

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A330 MRTT: The world’s most popular non-US tanker

Airbus has delivered around 60 A330 MRTTs, and a total of 82 have been ordered. These have been ordered by European countries and other allies (such as Australia and Canada) around the world making it one of the most popular aerial tanker aircraft. That said, the US has over half (over 500) of the world’s total aerial tanker fleet so US tankers are the most numerous – even if they are not exported.

Airbus asserts that the A330 MRTT “is the most capable new-generation tanker and transport aircraft with 90% market share outside the USA with 82 orders from 15 countries in Europe, Asia, America, and Oceania.” Canada is planning to operate a fleet of 9 A330 MRTTs while France and the United Kingdom are to have the largest fleets with 15 and 14 MRTTs respectively.

Photo: Ministry of Defense

The A330 MRTTs are heavily modified Airbus A330-200 airliners designed to give air forces air-to-air refueling and strategic airlift capabilities. They also feature an electronic warfare self-protection system for shielding against threats from surface-to-air missiles. They are able to carry fuel loads of over 100 tonnes and are able to refuel many military aircraft, including F-35As, F/A-18 Super Hornets, E/A-18G Growlers, F-16 Fighting Falcons, C-17A Globemasters, P-8A Poseidons, and other aircraft.