UAE receives first additional A330 MRTT
The UAE received the first of two additional Airbus A330 MRTT aircraft at its Al Ain Air Base, Abu Dhabi, from Airbus facilities in Getafe, Spain. (Photo: Airbus)
The arrival of this aircraft boosts the UAE’s fleet of tankers up to four, following its order for an additional two aircraft in 2021.
Airbus has announced that the UAE Air Force has received the first of its two additional Airbus A330 Multi Role Tank Transport (MRTT) aircraft in Abu Dhabi, boosting its fleet of the type to four.
The order for two additional A330 MRTTs was signed in November 2021 at the Dubai Airshow, alongside an upgrade to the country’s existing fleet of A330 MRTTs aircraft. Once both additional aircraft have been delivered, the UAE will have a fleet of five tanker aircraft.
In June 2014, Airbus announced the development of the A330 MRTT Enhanced, based on the commercial A330-200 variant, the upgraded version with improvements to the aerodynamics, structure, mission computer and refuelling boom system.
Shephard Defence Insight has estimated that the procurement cost for the two additional A330 MRTTs is calculated to be around US$552 million. The A330 MRTT is capable of performing air-to-air refuelling, transport and support long-range deployment of fighter aircraft.
The aircraft can carry up to 45t as a maximum payload and support the deployment of four fighter aircraft plus 50 personnel and 12 tonnes of freight such as spare parts and equipment in one direct flight over 5,200km, the manufacturer has claimed.
In July 2024, at the Farnborough Airshow, Airbus launched the second-generation A300 MRTT known as the MRTT+.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![V-22 Osprey safety upgrade moves towards wider fleet installation under $35.5 million deal]()
V-22 Osprey safety upgrade moves towards wider fleet installation under $35.5 million deal
Bell Boeing will supply 73 additional ODSSHI kits as NAVAIR prepares to introduce predictive drive-system monitoring across US and Japanese V-22 fleets.
-
![AFA 2026: US Air Force examines uncrewed cargo aircraft for contested logistics]()
AFA 2026: US Air Force examines uncrewed cargo aircraft for contested logistics
The US Air Force is evaluating demonstrators for uncrewed cargo missions as it considers logistics requirements across the Pacific and other contested environments.
-
![Europe risks losing control of CUAS production capacity as manufacturers look abroad]()
Europe risks losing control of CUAS production capacity as manufacturers look abroad
European counter-drone developers are securing early orders in the Middle East while slow domestic acquisition processes threaten to redirect production capacity, expertise and investment away from Europe.
-
![India’s rotary-wing capability gap grows as IMRH programme delays persist]()
India’s rotary-wing capability gap grows as IMRH programme delays persist
With IMRH and DBMRH potentially years from service, India faces a widening rotary-wing capability gap that could drive further foreign purchases even as HAL and Safran build the foundations of an indigenous successor.
