Saudi Arabia takes delivery of final A330 MRTT

Airbus Defence and Space has delivered the sixth and final A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) to Saudi Arabia.
This is the third aircraft in a second batch of three MRTTs ordered by the kingdom in 2009. The previous two aircraft in the batch were delivered from 2014. The first three MRTTs ordered under a 2008 contract were delivered between 2011 and 2013.
Airbus has also provided details of the new version of the MRTT, six of which will be delivered to Singapore as the launch customer. The changes relate to the fact that the baseline commercial airliner airframe from which the MRTT will be converted is a new model of the A330.
The A330 MRTT is operated by the UK's Royal Air Force as the Voyager (11 of 14 aircraft delivered under a long-lease arrangement), United Arab Emirates (three aircraft), and Australia as the KC-30A (five aircraft). India has selected the platform for a six-aircraft tanker requirement, while 12 of the type are to be supplied to the French Air Force from 2018 in a configuration specific to that operator. Qatar announced an order for two aircraft.
The Netherlands, Poland, and Norway are negotiating with Airbus over the pooled acquisition of a common fleet of MRTTs under an initiative facilitated by the European Defence Agency. The MRTT is also a candidate for South Korea's requirement for four tankers and a selection of the winning bid is expected at the end of this month.
Airbus is also talking to existing MRTT customers about potential extra sales of one or two aircraft each. Australia publically expressed an interest in acquiring additional KC-30A tankers in August 2014.
With the order book swelling there is available capacity for additional MRTT conversions should there need to be a ramp-up in production, according to Airbus. Two buildings are dedicated to the conversion work at the company's Getafe facility in Spain, the process taking between 9 and 10 months to complete.
Spanish airline Iberia was sub-contracted for the conversion of two aircraft in the initial batch for Saudi Arabia at its facility at Barajas, and this capacity can be called upon again if necessary.
janes

Iberia readies final Saudi MRTT for delivery later this year

What is believed to be the last of the six Airbus Defence and Space A330-200 MRTT for the Royal Saudi Air Force has been spotted leaving the plant of converters Iberia Mantenimiento near Madrid Barajas airport.
The aircraft was photographed on returning to the Airbus plant at Getafe, just south of Madrid, after reportedly flying south from Barajas to a traditional testing area of the Mediterranean, just east of the Strait of Gibraltar.
janes

Iberia to convert more A330 tankers

Iberia has received a contract from Airbus Defence & Space for the conversion of three A330s to the multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) configuration.
The award extends a previous deal between the two organisations for a further three years, as each aircraft will require one year to convert to the air-to-air refuelling role.
Iberia’s technical management teams have handled similar conversions for the Royal Saudi Air Force.
The first aircraft from an initial trio of A330 MRTTs for Riyadh was handed over to its air force in February 2013, with deliveries now complete. A follow-on batch of three tankers has previously been described as due for delivery due late this year.
The Saudi aircraft are used to refuel a range of combat aircraft, including Boeing F-15s, Eurofighter Typhoons and Panavia Tornados. It is thought that the latest conversion contract is for the second Saudi batch, although Iberia does not make mention of the eventual customer in its announcement.
A330 MRTTs have also been sold to the Australia, Singapore, the UK and the United Arab Emirates.
Conversion to the military role requires the complete internal dismantling of the aircraft’s cabin, installation of structural alterations and mission-specific equipment.
The latest three aircraft being converted by Iberia will have a three-point refuelling layout, with two hose-and-drogue units beneath the wings plus a fly-by-wire-controlled boom on the centreline. They will also receive a refuelling point so that they can also receive fuel from other tankers.
This type of work forms part of Iberia’s strategy to diversify its business area and include products with added value and greater technological complexity.
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