First Spanish Airbus A330 MRTT into service
The first Airbus A330 MRTT (Multi-Role Tanker Transport) for the Ejército del Aire (EdlA, Spanish Air and Space Force) serial TK.24-03/452-03 (1700/MRTT073), has entered into service with the 45th Wing.
The aircraft, which will operate in Escuadrón 452 from Torrejón de Ardoz Air Base, Madrid, has been delivered from the Airbus-facilities in Madrid-Getafe, where the A330 MRTT aircraft conversion centre is based.
In November 2021, the Spanish Ministry of Defense bought three A330 airliners out of the inventory of Iberia, with the intention to have these converted into multi-mission tanker and transport aircraft. The new TK.24-03 used to fly for Iberia as EC-MJA.
The second and third Airbus A330 MRTTs for Spain are currently also undergoing conversion at Getafe. 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. They are T.24-01/452-01 (1694, former Iberia EC-MIL) and T.24-02/452-02 (1710, ex EC-MJT).
By choosing the Airbus A330 MRTT the Spanish Air and Space Force can benefit from interoperability with other allied nations and strategic autonomy.
The Airbus is equipped with a state-of-the-art hose-and-basket refuelling system and has an endurance of more than eighteen flight hours and a range of 16,000 kilometres, which will significantly increase projection, aerial evacuation and in-flight refuelling capabilities.
Its large basic fuel load capacity of 111 tonnes allows it, among other functions, to successfully perform aerial refuelling missions without the need for additional fuel tanks.
Thanks to its wide-body fuselage, the A330 MRTT can be used as a transport aircraft capable of carrying up to 300 troops or a payload of up to 45 tonnes (99,000lbs). In addition, this aircraft can be configured with a dedicated Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC)-kit, allowing the installation of different stretcher modules and intensive-care stations.
Photo: Airbus Defence and Space SAU 2024 Adrian Molinos- Mango Producciones