Saudi Arabia Orders Four Additional Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport Aircraft

Saudi Arabia Orders Four Additional Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport Aircraft

(IN BRIEF) Saudi Arabia has ordered four additional Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft for the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF). These aircraft will begin conversion in early 2026 and enter service by 2027, enhancing RSAF’s air-to-air refuelling and transport capabilities. The contract includes a logistics support package and underscores Saudi Arabia’s confidence in the A330 MRTT, making RSAF one of the world’s largest operators of these aircraft. Airbus also signed an Industrial Participation (IP) agreement with GAMI to support local industrial development under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 program.

(PRESS RELEASE) GETAFE, 11-Jul-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has placed an order for four additional Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft for the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF).

Scheduled to begin conversion in early 2026, the first aircraft will enter service by 2027 to bolster RSAF’s capabilities in air-to-air refuelling and transport missions.

“This new order underscores the RSAF’s confidence in the A330 MRTT’s performance,” said Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space. “With this third contract, Saudi Arabia reaffirms its position as one of the world’s largest operators of the A330 MRTT.”

The contract includes a comprehensive logistics support package encompassing spare parts, training services, and ongoing service support for the four new aircraft.

All RSAF A330 MRTT aircraft are equipped with hose and drogue pods, boom system, and refuelling receptacle, enabling them to refuel from both hose-equipped and boom-equipped tankers.

Industrial Cooperation

In January 2024, Airbus signed an Industrial Participation (IP) agreement with the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) to enhance the local industrial ecosystem in alignment with Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification program. This agreement includes technology transfer and knowledge sharing related to RSAF A330 MRTT operations.

SAAMS, a joint venture between SAMI (Saudi Arabian Military Industries) and Airbus, will drive local industrialization efforts under this agreement.

The A330 MRTT is recognized as the most advanced tanker and transport aircraft of its kind, holding a dominant market position with 82 orders from 15 countries across Europe, Asia, America, and Oceania, representing a 90% market share outside the USA.

For audiovisual material related to this announcement, click here.

To learn more about Airbus A330 MRTT, click here.

For further information about Airbus in the Middle East, click here.

Media Contacts:

Borja Garcia De Sola
External Communications – Airbus Defence
Phone: +34 677 92 62 42
borja.garciadesola@airbus.com

Zaid Al-Farah
Communications Manager – Airbus Africa & Middle East
Phone: +971 56 603 7704
zaid.al-farah@airbus.com

SOURCE: Airbus