Ordered for the Spanish Air and Space Force, the first of three Airbus A330 MRTT (Multi-Role Tanker Transport) has come into service with the 45th Wing.
The 45th Wing has seen the first Airbus A330 MRTT (Multi-Role Tanker Transport) for the Spanish Air and Space Force arrive into service. Acquired by the Spanish Ministry of Defence in November 2021, this is the first of three multi-mission tanker and transport planes.
Operating from Torrejón de Ardoz Air Base, Madrid (Spain), the aircraft has been delivered from the Airbus facility at Getafe (Madrid), where the A330 MRTT aircraft conversion centre is located.
With a range of 16,000 kilometres and an endurance of almost 18 flying hours, the Airbus A330 MRTT for the Spanish Air and Space Force has a hose-and-basket refuelling system.
The A330 MRTT can carry out aerial refuelling operations without the requirement for extra fuel tanks given its huge basic fuel load capacity of 111 tonnes.
Its wide-body fuselage lets the A330 MRTT run as a transport aircraft able to carry up to 300 troops or cargo of up to 45 tonnes (99,000 pounds).
This plane may also be set up with a specific Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) kit, which lets you put various intensive-care stations and stretcher systems in place.
Spain’s second and third Airbus A330 MRTTs are currently being converted at Getafe, Madrid. The 45th Wing of the Spanish Air and Space Force has so far used these unconverted A330s to transport military personnel and equipment, for example, in the Pacific Skies exercise in 2024 or the evacuation of Spanish nationals from Niger or Sudan.
Author: Özgür Ekşi
