The Spanish Air and Space Force’s first Airbus A330 MRTT (Multi-Mission Tanker Transport) has entered service with the 45th Wing. This is the first of three multi-mission transport and refueling aircraft acquired by the Spanish Ministry of Defense in November 2021.
The aircraft, which will operate from Torrejón de Ardoz Air Base in Madrid (Spain), was delivered by Airbus' facilities in Getafe (Madrid), where the A330 MRTT aircraft conversion center is located.
The Spanish Air and Space Force's Airbus is equipped with a state-of-the-art refueling system, with hose and basket, and has a flight autonomy of more than 18 hours and a range of 16.000 kilometers.
The aircraft can be used as a transport aircraft with the capacity to carry up to 300 troops or a payload of up to 45 tonnes (99.000 lb). The aircraft can be configured with a dedicated Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) kit, allowing the installation of different stretcher modules and intensive care stations.
The second and third Airbus A330 MRTTs for Spain are currently undergoing conversion in Getafe, Madrid. The 45th Wing of the Spanish Air and Space Force has already used these unconverted A330s to transport military personnel and equipment, for example in the Pacific Skies exercise in 2024 or in the evacuation of Spanish citizens from Niger or Sudan.
