Key Points:
- The Spanish Air and Space Force has received its first Airbus A330 MRTT, now operational with the 45th Wing.
- This is the first of three multi-role tankers acquired by Spain’s Ministry of Defence in 2021.
- The aircraft offers over 18 hours of endurance, 16,000 km range, and 111 tonnes of fuel capacity.
- It will be based at Torrejón de Ardoz Air Base and operated in refueling, troop transport, and MEDEVAC roles.
- The next two A330 MRTTs are currently undergoing conversion at Airbus Getafe.
Spain’s aerial capabilities have taken a major leap forward. On April 11, 2025, the first Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) officially entered service with the Spanish Air and Space Force, marking a significant milestone in the modernization of the nation’s strategic air mobility and refueling operations.
Delivered to the 45th Wing at Torrejón de Ardoz Air Base in Madrid, the aircraft is the first of three ordered by the Spanish Ministry of Defence in November 2021. All three aircraft were initially second-hand A330s, later converted into MRTT configuration at Airbus’s military conversion center in Getafe.
A New Strategic Asset for Spain
quipped with a state-of-the-art hose-and-basket refueling system, Spain’s A330 MRTT can support in-flight refueling, long-range troop transport, and aeromedical evacuation (MEDEVAC) operations. With a range of 16,000 kilometers and endurance of over 18 hours, the platform significantly enhances Spain’s ability to project force, assist allies, and respond to global crises.
Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space, highlighted the aircraft’s strategic impact:
“The MRTT will not only provide interoperability with allied nations and strategic autonomy, but will also significantly increase projection, aerial evacuation and in-flight refuelling capabilities.”
Multi-Mission Versatility
The A330 MRTT offers unmatched versatility:
- 111 tonnes of fuel capacity without additional tanks
- Space for up to 300 troops or 45 tonnes of cargo
- Optional MEDEVAC configuration with stretcher modules and intensive care stations
This makes it a vital force multiplier, not just for NATO-aligned operations, but also for rapid humanitarian and defense deployments across continents.
What’s Next: Two More Aircraft Underway
Spain’s second and third A330 MRTTs are currently undergoing conversion in Getafe. Even in their pre-converted state, these aircraft have already proven useful—supporting logistics for Exercise Pacific Skies 2024 and evacuations from Niger and Sudan.
Looking Ahead
With the A330 MRTT, Spain joins a growing list of nations operating the world’s most advanced aerial refueling platform. As geopolitical dynamics evolve, strategic autonomy and global reach have never been more critical. For the Spanish Air and Space Force, the MRTT is more than a new aircraft—it’s a cornerstone of 21st-century capability.