More tankers for the UAE
November 14, 2024
The United Arab Emirates Air Force & Air Defence formally ordered two additional Airbus A330 Multirole Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft on 14 November 2021 at the Dubai air show in 2021, increasing the country’s MRTT fleet to five aircraft.
Bernhard Brenner, Executive Vice President Marketing and Sales at Airbus Defence and Space said that: ‘Since its entry into service in 2013 with the UAE Air Force, the A330 MRTT has delivered much more than initially expected, meeting our customer’s operational needs. This repeat order, added to the growing MRTT customer base, confirms the suitability of our platform as the world’s tanker of reference.”
The first of two A330 MRTTs from this follow-on order was delivered to the UAE Air Force and Air Defence at Al Ain Air Base in Abu Dhabi on 13 November.
The Emirati A330 MRTTs feature the Airbus advanced Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS), which enables refuelling at rates of up to 3,600 kg/min, supporting a wide range of receiver aircraft equipped with the US-style UARRSI (Universal Aerial Refuelling Receptacle Slipway Installation) including the F-16E/F, Boeing C-17A and the A330 MRTT itself. They are also equipped with Cobham 905E underwing HDU (Hose Drogue Unit) pods allowing them to use the probe and drogue refuelling method.
In its latest form, the A330 MRTT is certified for automatic in-flight refuelling (A3R), following the completion of a successful test campaign with the Republic of Singapore Air Force. This minimises operator workload and maximises fuel transfer efficiency.
The A330 MRTT has a fuel capacity of up to 111 tonnes, or can carry up to 300 passengers or 45 tonnes of cargo and can also be configured for aeromedical evacuation missions, carrying up to 130 litters.
The country’s current three A330-243MRTT tankers will be upgraded to the same enhanced standard as the latest two deliveries.
Elsewhere in the region, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ordered four additional Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft for the Royal Saudi Arabia Air Force (RSAF) on 10 July 2024. These will enter service in 2027, joining six aircraft already in service.
