Saudi Arabia orders four additional Airbus A330 MRTTs
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has ordered four additional Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft for the Royal Saudi Arabian Air Force (RSAF).
The first of these aircraft, which will begin conversion in early 2026, will enter service and join the RSAF in 2027, to perform in-flight refueling and transport missions.
"This new order demonstrates the high level of customer satisfaction with the A330 MRTT," said Jean-Brice Dumont, head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space, "This is the third contract signed by Saudi Arabia for the A330 MRTT, making the RSAF one of the largest MRTT operators in the world."
The contract also includes a logistics support package with spare parts, training systems and technical assistance for the new four aircraft.
All RSAF A300 MRTTs are configured with basket and hose system, boom system, as well as universal refueling receptacle, which allows the A330 MRTT to be refueled in flight from other boom-equipped tankers.
Industrial cooperation
As part of this contract, Airbus signed in January 2024 an Industrial Participation (IP) agreement with GAMI (Saudi General Authority for Military Industries) for the development and growth of the industrial ecosystem in the region in support of Vision 2030, a Saudi government program aimed at diversifying the country's economy
This agreement also includes the transfer of A330 MRTT technology and know-how from the RSAF to local companies. SAAMS, the joint venture created between SAMI (Saudi Arabian Military Industries) and Airbus, will be the main vehicle for industrial localization.
The A330 MRTT is the most advanced new-generation tanker and transport aircraft, with a 90% market share outside the United States and 82 orders from 15 countries in Europe, Asia, the Americas and Oceania.