Airbus has delivered the first of the three A330 MRTT multi-role tanker transport aircraft purchased by the Ministry of Defense to the Spanish Air and Space Force for 675 million euros, with the other two set to enter service in 2026.
This initial MRTT aircraft, now available to Wing 45 of the Spanish Air Force and operating from the Torrejón de Ardoz Air Base (Madrid), was handed over in a ceremony held on Friday at Airbus’ facilities in Getafe, near Madrid.
The Airbus A330 MRTT boasts an autonomy of over 18 hours of flight, a range of 16,000 kilometers, and a fuel capacity of 111 tons, allowing it to perform air-to-air refueling missions without the need for additional tanks.
With its wide fuselage, it can serve as a transport aircraft capable of carrying up to 300 soldiers or a payload of up to 45 tons, as well as for medical evacuations by accommodating stretcher and intensive care modules.
The event was attended by Secretary of State for Defense, Amparo Valcarce, who emphasized that «this delivery marks the beginning of a long-awaited new phase, the recovery and modernization of Spain’s strategic air transport capability.»
She recalled that «in 2016, the Spanish Air and Space Force retired the veteran Boeing 707 aircraft, resulting in the loss of airlift capacity, a gap that has affected strategic operations for years.»
«Addressing this deficiency in July 2020, in a particularly challenging context due to the aerospace sector’s pandemic impact, the Spanish government and Airbus reached a strategic agreement,» explained Amparo Valcarce.
Llega a Tailandia el avión medicalizado del Ejército que repatriará a un español enfermo grave
The Secretary of State highlighted that «the MRTT delivery is the result of an exemplary collaboration between the Ministry of Defense and Airbus, bridging the gap between public and private sectors, the state’s strategic vision, and the technological excellence of the national aeronautical industry.» She stressed that the MRTT restores critical operational capability to the Spanish Air Force, enabling long-distance troop and material transport, complex medical evacuations, and in-flight refueling of combat aircraft, projecting aerospace power in national and international operations.
«This aircraft is not only an asset for national defense but also contributes to the European pillar of defense and NATO, strengthening common defense, a more capable Europe, and one that is increasingly responsible for its security,» she concluded.
On his part, Lieutenant General José Luis Pardo, Chief of the Air Force Logistics Support Command, highlighted that these aircraft are «essential for the deployment and support of the Armed Forces beyond our borders and to respond rapidly when military or civilian personnel need evacuation from remote areas affected by natural disasters, health crises, or conflicts.»