The A330 MRTT has been ordered by Australia, France, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Canada, and by
NATO in a multi-nation deal. Australia was the launch customer for the A330 MRTT. According to Airbus, the A330 MRTT has more than 90% in air-to-air refueling aircraft market outside the United States.
Australia KC-30A refuelling a
Rockwell B-1 Lancer with its centre refuelling boom, escorted by
Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets and
Boeing EA-18G Growlers Designated as KC-30A, the
RAAF A330 MRTTs are equipped with both an Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS) and two Cobham 905E under-wing refuelling pods. They are powered by two General Electric CF6-80E1A3 engines and are configured to carry up to 270 passengers plus 34,000 kilograms of cargo. Deliveries fell two years behind schedule, partly due to boom development issues. On 30 May 2011, KC-30A RAAF serial A39-003, the third converted A330, arrived at RAAF Base Amberley and was formally handed over on 1 June 2011, thus becoming the first MRTT to be delivered to an end user. While the first conversion was performed in Spain,
Qantas Defence Services converted the other four RAAF A330-200s at its Brisbane airport facility on behalf of EADS. In July 2013, there were reportedly delays to the KC-30A's full service entry due to refuelling issues, such as the hose-and-drogue system passing too much fuel. In August 2013, the KC-30A made its debut as a
VIP transport, ferrying Prime Minister
Kevin Rudd and an entourage to
Al Minhad Air Base in the
United Arab Emirates. In August 2014, Defence Minister
David Johnston announced the country's intention to buy two more KC-30As, one with a VIP layout for the Prime Minister's use. In July 2015, Defence Minister
Kevin Andrews announced the order of two additional KC-30s, to be converted from A330-200s previously operated by
Qantas, for delivery in 2018. In 2016, the decision was made to add a modest VIP fitout, including seating, meeting spaces and communication facilities, to a single KC-30A, which remains primarily used as a tanker. The 2016 Defence White Paper noted a possible rise in the fleet's size, to nine, to support new RAAF aircraft such as the
Boeing P-8A Poseidon. On 22 September 2014, the RAAF deployed an Air Task Group, including
F/A-18F Super Hornets, a KC-30A and a
Boeing E-7A Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft, to Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, as part of a
coalition to combat
Islamic State forces in Iraq. The KC-30A started operations days after arriving in the UAE, refuelling coalition aircraft over Iraq. On 6 October 2014, the RAAF conducted its first combat missions over Iraq via two Super Hornets, supported by the KC-30A. In December 2016, an RAAF KC-30A conducted air-to-air refuelling trials with a USAF
B-1B bomber. The
Australian Defence Magazine reported in July 2023 that the Australian Government was expected to announce an order for two additional KC-30As to increase the RAAF's fleet of the type to nine.
United Kingdom In January 2004, the UK
Ministry of Defence announced the selection of an A330 MRTT variant to provide tanking for the RAF for the next 30 years under the
Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) programme, replacing the RAF's
TriStar and
VC10 tankers. The Ministry of Defence entered negotiations with the EADS-led AirTanker consortium. On 27 March 2008, a deal was signed to lease 14 MRTTs under a
private finance initiative arrangement with AirTanker, with the first to enter service in 2011. The service's annual cost, including military personnel costs is around £450 million for a delivery of 18,000 flying hours a rate of approximately £25,000 per hour. There are two versions, designated
Voyager KC.Mk 2 and
Voyager KC.Mk 3; s over Iraq By May 2014, nine aircraft had been delivered, completing the core fleet. Further deliveries were for a "surge capability", available to the RAF when needed, but otherwise available to AirTanker for "release to the civil market, less its military equipment or to partner nations in a military capacity with the MoD's agreement". In November 2015, it was announced that a Voyager would be refitted to carry government ministers and members of the Royal Family on official visits. The refit cost £10m but was claimed to save roughly £775,000 annually compared to charter flights.
ZZ336 is fitted with 158 seats (100 standard seats at the rear and 58 VIP seats at the front) and is known as Vespina; it entered service on 6 May 2016.
Prime Minister David Cameron made his first flight on it to attend the
2016 Warsaw NATO summit. In June 2020, ZZ336 was repainted using the colours of the
Union Flag at the request of Prime Minister
Boris Johnson. Although undertaken as a part of routine maintenance, the cost was stated to be approximately £900,000. Because the RAF's Voyagers are only capable of probe-and-drogue refuelling, they are unable to refuel current or future RAF aircraft that are fitted solely for
flying boom refuelling, including the
Boeing RC-135,
Boeing C-17 Globemaster III,
Boeing 737 AEW&C and
Boeing P-8 Poseidon. In April 2016, the RAF stated its interest in fitting a boom to some Voyagers, bringing its fleet into line with other MRTT operators. Fitting a boom would add flexibility to the RAF Voyagers, allowing refuelling of RAF aircraft not fitted for
probe and drogue, and also by other air forces that operate boom-refuelled aircraft. On 18 November 2022, an RAF Voyager completed the world's first 100%
sustainable fuel military transporter flight, as part of the RAF's plan to become
net-zero by 2040.
United Arab Emirates In 2007, the United Arab Emirates announced it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus to purchase three A330 MRTTs. A contract was signed with the UAE in February 2008. The first UAE A330 MRTT was delivered on 6 February 2013. The remaining two were delivered by 6 August 2013. The UAE tankers are equipped with both an ARBS and two Cobham 905E under-wing refuelling pods; these ARBS units include a secondary boom hoist developed for the UAE. This system permits the boom to be retracted, even in the event of a primary boom retraction system failure. The UAE tankers are fitted with Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines. On 14 November 2021, UAE ordered two additional MRTTs.
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia finalised an agreement to purchase three A330 MRTTs equipped with both an Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS) and two Cobham 905E under-wing refuelling pods on 3 January 2008. In July 2009, it was announced that Saudi Arabia ordered three additional MRTTs. The
Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) chose General Electric CF6-80 engines to power its A330 MRTTs. On 25 February 2013, the first Saudi MRTT entered operational use. Three more MRTTs were ordered in a follow-on contract; delivery was expected in late 2014. By 31 August 2013, three had been delivered. On 10 July 2024, four more MRTTS were ordered.
Singapore In February 2012, Singapore expressed interest in the A330 MRTT to replace its four Boeing KC-135s. In February 2014, the
Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) selected the MRTT over the
Boeing KC-46, signing for six aircraft. All are fitted with
Trent 772B engines and configured for a maximum capacity of 266 passengers or of cargo, as well as a maximum fuel weight of . The first MRTT arrived in Singapore on 14 August 2018 in a special livery. It made its first public appearance at the RSAF's 50th anniversary parade on 1 September 2018. The RSAF's six MRTTs attained
full operational capability (FOC) on 20 April 2021 and currently fly with the 112 Squadron at
Changi Air Base (East) in Singapore.
South Korea On 30 June 2015,
South Korea selected the A330 MRTT; the
Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) planned to induct four aerial refueling tankers by 2020. The first MRTT was delivered on 12 November 2018, after a ferry flight from Airbus's final assembly line in
Getafe, Spain to South Korea, piloted by a joint Airbus and ROKAF crew. South Korea received its second MRTT in March 2019 and the third in July 2019. These aircraft are powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines. The aircraft is designated
KC-330 Cygnus (
ko). The ROKAF held a contest among their service members and chose the name '
Cygnus' after holding a deliberation committee session in November 2018 - January 2019. A few years later, one of the winners' confession revealed that he thought of the name Empress Cygnus, a character in the online game
MapleStory. However, the condition of the contest was that only names related to space or birds (excluding birds of prey) would be accepted, but since the name of MapleStory's Cygnus is taken from the constellation Cygnus, which means
swan in Latin, that claim has merit. It extends the endurance of ROKAF aircraft over remote areas such as
Dokdo,
Ieodo, and the
North Pyongyang-Wonsan Line, as well as increase its ability to deploy overseas for international operations. It is not only aerial refueling, but also serves as a transport aircraft for the deployment of personnel, such as repatriation of remains from the Korean War, replacement of overseas troops, transfer of South Korean Iraqi residents due to COVID-19, transportation of
Janssen vaccines, participated in Operation Oasis, which transfer of
Cheonghae Unit members of the
Munmu the Great when they contracted COVID-19, repatriation of General
Hong Beom-do's remains and return to South Korea, participated in
Operation Miracle, which transported cooperative Afghans, sent to import
Diesel exhaust fluid from Australia to ease a supply shortage of the key material used in diesel vehicles, sent relief supplies and personnel to Turkey when the
Turkey–Syria earthquake occurred, supported
Operation Promise, which allowed Koreans to escape when the Sudanese war broke out, and helped fight
Canadian wildfires so Canadian Prime Minister
Justin Trudeau made a surprise visit to thank them for this, and the transportation of South Korean residents and travelers, 51 Japanese, and 6 Singaporeans in Israel due to the
Israel-Hamas war.
France A330 MRTT Phénix In November 2011, France expressed interest in acquiring 14 A330 MRTTs to replace its Boeing KC-135 tankers and Airbus A340 and A310 transports; one year later, it was announced that 14 would be ordered in 2013. In May 2013, Airbus made an offer for 12 to 14 A330 MRTTs to France. On 20 February 2014, the French Chief of Staff stated that 12 A330 MRTTs would be acquired in two batches, an initial standard configuration with a boom and wing refuelling pods and later with a cargo door and SATCOM. On 15 December 2015, France ordered eight MRTTs, constituting the second tranche of a multi-year contract for 12 MRTTs, worth €3 billion ($3.3 billion), signed by the French Ministry of Defence in November 2014. Initial deliveries were expected in 2018, with further handovers of one or two per year until 2025. In September 2018, the ''
Direction générale de l'armement'' (DGA) announced plans to speed up delivery of the MRTT Phénix, as it is known in French service, by two years, planning for the last of 12 aircraft to be delivered in 2023 rather than 2025. In addition, the DGA stated that the fleet would be later increased to 15 aircraft. Later in September, the French Air Force received the first MRTT as per the existing timetable. On 13 December 2018, France ordered another three MRTTs of a third tranche of the multi-year contract; these are powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines and equipped with the ARBS and underwing hose-and-drogue refuelling pods.
Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport Fleet In November 2011, the
European Defence Agency (EDA) Steering Board and European Defence Ministers endorsed
air-to-air refueling (AAR) as one of the initial Pooling and Sharing initiatives after recognising the need for a greater AAR capability as it was heavily reliant on US Air Force tankers. In November 2012, the Ministers of Defence of 10 EDA member states (the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Greece, Spain, Hungary, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal and Norway) signed a letter of intent to jointly procure a multi-role tanker transport. The Netherlands was designated leader of the newly launched Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport Fleet (MMF) project, which had the aim of creating an initial European AAR capability by 2020. In July 2016, the Netherlands and Luxembourg jointly ordered the first two MRTTs under the MMF programme, the first scheduled for delivery by 2020. In June 2017, Germany and Norway became MMF members, pledging to order five more MRTTs plus options for a further four. On 26 September 2017, Airbus announced receipt of OCCAR's firm order for five additional MRTTs. The Belgian Ministry of Defence stated the intent to buy one MRTT in a 2015 defence plan. The Belgian government investigated the €840 million plan, as well as the option of equipping Belgium's seven A400Ms with under-wing pods; a combined Belgian A330 MRTT and A400M fleet would cost up to €1 billion. On 22 December 2017, Belgium signed a contract for one MRTT, to be based at Eindhoven Air Base, bringing the MMF to eight aircraft. and officially joined the programme on 14 February 2018. On 19 December 2017, NATO partnered with Israel's
Elbit Systems to provide J-Music electronic countermeasures systems to the fleet. Having considered joining the initiative for some time, the Czech Republic joined as the sixth member during October 2019. In September 2020, Luxembourg committed to an extra 1,000 hours and to provide funding for a ninth MRTT via an existing contract option. As of 2018,
Sweden was reportedly considering joining the Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport Fleet programme. Aircraft six and seven were delivered on 26 and 28 July 2022 respectively. On 23 March 2023, the MMF was declared Initial Operational Capable during a ceremony at Eindhoven Air Base. Additionally, Belgium announced a €265 million increase in the program's funding, after which a MoU contract was signed for a tenth MRTT by the Ministers of Defence of the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Norway. Then the NSPA formally ordered an additional MRTT, increasing the MMF to 10 aircraft. In 2023, the Multinational MRTT Fleet began integrating the J-Music Directed Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM) system developed by Elbit Systems into its aircraft. This provides protection against heat-seeking missiles such as MANPADS, using fiber-laser and high-speed thermal imaging technologies. This upgrade enhances the fleet's survivability during operations in high-threat environments. The Netherlands government organised multiple flights with the multinational pool planes in transport configuration to repatriate Dutch nationals from Israel after the initial attacks of the
Gaza war disrupted commercial air traffic to Israel. On 25 March 2025, the Danish Ministry of Defence confirmed its intention to join the program with the equivalent of two refuelling units, raising the prospects of addition of more aircraft to the program. On 24 June 2025, it was announced that an additional 2 A330 MRTTs would be ordered with deliveries set for 2028 and 2029, bringing the total to 12 aircraft, and that Denmark and Sweden would be joining the programme. A third operating MMF base is planned in Denmark, and in December 2025
Karup Air Force base was selected.
Spain A330 prior to conversion Spain's
Ministry of Defence stated that it was to acquire two A330 MRTT in 2016 to replace its ageing Boeing 707 tankers. In 2014, Spain's Secretary of State for Defence stated that negotiations had begun with Airbus about switching its excess order for 13
Airbus A400Ms to an undisclosed number of MRTTs. The Airbus Defence and Space commercial director said that although it was a difficult issue, the company would negotiate with Spain to reach an agreement. In September 2020, Spain agreed to buy from
Iberia three A330s no longer needed due to the
economic impact of the
COVID-19 pandemic, then modify them to serve as a MRTT fleet. On 12 November 2021, Spain signed an order for three MRTTs from Airbus. Between 2021 and 2022, the first two aircraft entered service in original passenger configuration, the third aircraft was sent directly to the conversion facility at Airbus Getafe. The first A330 MRTT is scheduled for delivery by the end of 2024, while the other two are delayed for conversion and delivery until 2025 and 2026 so that there will always be two aircraft in service. Beginning in January 2024, the first MRTT aircraft performed test flights. The first Airbus A330 MRTT for the Spanish Air and Space Force entered service in April 2025. A second aircraft was delivered in late October 2025.
Brazil On 28 January 2021,
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro announced negotiations for two A330 MRTT for the
Brazilian Air Force. On 13 May 2021, the
Ministry of Defence released a statement authorizing the deal, reportedly from the RAF's active inventory. On 30 June 2021, the British
military attaché for Brazil,
Royal Navy Captain Mark Albon, confirmed the ongoing negotiations, conducted by the UK
ambassador to Brazil and Ministry of Defence officials. On 27 January 2022, the Brazilian Air Force ended negotiations with the RAF and launched international bidding to buy two A330-200s on the civil market, estimated at US$81 million. On 6 April 2022,
Azul Brazilian Airlines was declared the supplier by the Ministry of Defence. The agreements with Airbus, conversion costs and delivery schedule were kept confidential. VIP transport is also a possibility, in order to replace the Airbus
A319ACJ in presidential trips requiring intercontinental range.
Canada In April 2021, Airbus was declared the only qualified supplier to replace Canada's
RCAF CC-150 Polaris refuelling and VIP transport aircraft, beating out Boeing's KC-46 Pegasus. In July 2022, a $102M deal was finalised to acquire two used A330-200s from the International Airfinance Corporation for passenger/cargo-only use expected to be converted into MRTTs by Airbus in the future; it was anticipated that up to four more MRTTs would be acquired, for a total of six aircraft. This total was revised in July 2023 to nine, with the fleet being made up of five conversions and four newly manufactured MRTTs in a contract worth
C$3.6 billion. The A330 MRTTs are designated
CC-330 Husky by the RCAF, and the first passenger/cargo-only aircraft was delivered on 31 August 2023 in Ottawa.
Thailand Thailand's
Royal Thai Air Force ordered 1 aircraft to be delivered in 2029. This is the first aircraft ordered of the new A330 MRTT+ variant, an evolution of the MRTT using the
Airbus A330neo platform.
Potential operators India Indonesia In January 2018,
Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) officials were reportedly studying both the A330 MRTT and
Boeing KC-46 Pegasus tankers for a future modernisation programme, expected to take place after completion of the
Airbus A400M Atlas programme. The TNI-AU was said to compare compatibility with its current aircraft;
life-cycle costs;
interoperability with current and future assets; and potential funding and
technology transfer options with state-owned aircraft manufacturer
Indonesian Aerospace. On 5 September 2023, the
Indonesian Ministry of Defense stated that a number of defense equipment made by Airbus are in effective contract including the Airbus A330 MRTT.
United States A consortium of
Lockheed Martin and
Airbus was proposing a variant called
LMXT for the
Bridge Tanker Competition referred to as KC-Y, which could lead to a contract to build up to 160 aircraft. In October 2023, Lockheed Martin withdrew, leaving Airbus to make the bid alone.
Others On 27 March 2014, Airbus announced that the
Qatar Emiri Air Force intended to purchase two A330 MRTTs. In May 2021, it was revealed that
Egypt was considering the purchase of two A330 MRTTs as part of a
Rafale fighter deal with France. After cancelling the purchase of the KC-46, Italy in August 2024 launched a tender to procure of six tankers with a budget of €1.4 billion. In December 2025, it was revealed that
Poland is considering the purchase of two to four A330 MRTT+s.
Failed bids United States The US Air Force (USAF) ran a procurement programme to replace around 100 of its oldest
KC-135E Stratotankers, i.e., initially excluding the more common updated KC-135R variant.
EADS offered the A330 MRTT. The
Boeing KC-767 was selected in 2002; however the USAF cancelled the KC-767 order upon the uncovering of illegal manipulation and corrupt practices during the competition. In 2006, the USAF released a new
request for proposal (RFP) for a tanker aircraft, which was updated in January 2007, to the
KC-X RFP, one of three acquisition programmes that are intended to replace the entire KC-135 fleet. The A330 MRTT was proposed again by EADS and Northrop Grumman as the
KC-30. It again competed against the Boeing KC-767, a smaller and less expensive aircraft with less fuel and cargo capability. Northrop Grumman and EADS announced plans to assemble the aircraft at a new facility in
Mobile, Alabama, which would also build A330 freighters. On 29 February 2008, the USAF announced the selection of the KC-30 as the KC-135 replacement, and was designated
KC-45A. On 18 June 2008, the United States
Government Accountability Office (GAO) upheld a protest by Boeing on the contract's award to Northrop Grumman and EADS over process improprieties. This left the status of the KC-45A in doubt, because the GAO decision required the USAF to rebid the contract. On 24 September 2009, the USAF began the first steps in the new round of bids, with a clearer set of criteria. On 8 March 2010, Northrop Grumman withdrew from the bidding process, asserting that the new criteria were skewed in favour of Boeing's offering. On 20 April 2010, EADS announced it was re-entering the competition on a stand-alone basis and intended to enter a bid with the KC-45, still intending for Mobile to be the final assembly site. On 24 February 2011, the USAF announced that the development contract had been
awarded to Boeing. William J. Lynn III, the deputy defence secretary, said Boeing was "the clear winner" under a formula that considered the bid prices, how well each tanker met needs and the operating costs over 40 years. ==Variants==