Spanish air force takes delivery of third ex-Iberia A330 in MRTT guise
Former airliners were acquired for conversion via a 2021 deal.
Airbus Defence & Space has delivered a third A330 multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) to Spain, completing Madrid’s order for three of the converted widebodies.
Following its transfer, which was announced on 20 October, the aircraft will be assigned to the Spanish air force’s 45th Wing at Torrejon air base near Madrid.
Capable of supporting the service’s Boeing F-18s and Eurofighter Typhoons, Spain’s MRTTs are fitted with underwing hose-and-drogue refuelling pods, with the tanker/transport having a fuel capacity of 111t.
Powered by GE Aerospace CF6 engines, Spain’s tankers are converted ex-airline examples previously owned by Iberia, which aviation analytics company Cirium records as each aged 10 years. Madrid acquired the jets via a 2021 deal. Its first example was handed over for use in April 2025.
A future fleet expansion is expected, however, with Spain’s Council of Ministers in August approving a €5.4 billion ($6.3 billion) spending plan covering the acquisition of seven examples via a joint initiative with Poland.
Airbus’s defence unit cites an operational endurance of up to 18h for the A330 MRTT, with the twinjet having a maximum range of 8,650nm (16,000km).
The company says it has secured total orders for 91 A330 MRTTs, with 68 of those having been handed over to date.
Broad operating group
In addition to Spain, other operators are Australia, Brazil, France, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and the UK, while a pooled fleet is used by NATO partners Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.
The A330-200-based type also in on order for Canada, while the first of a new A330-800-based MRTT+ version will be introduced by Thailand.
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