The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has made aviation history by becoming the first customer to order Airbus’s next-generation A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport Plus (MRTT+). The order, announced Sept. 25, marks a important milestone for Airbus as it transitions its tanker program from the legacy A330-200 to the more advanced A330neo variant.
Graphic: Airbus
The Thai aircraft is scheduled to enter military conversion at Airbus’ facility in Getafe, Spain, in 2026, with final delivery expected in 2029. The MRTT+ represents the natural evolution of Airbus’ combat-proven A330 MRTT platform, which has accumulated more than 340,000 flight hours across eleven customers worldwide.
The A330 MRTT+ incorporates technological advances from the commercial A330-800 airliner, including Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines that deliver up to 8 percent lower fuel burn compared to the previous generation. The aircraft also features optimized aerodynamics, new wing-tips, and reduced noise emissions. Maximum take-off weight has increased to 242 tonnes from the current 233 tonnes, extending operational range and increasing fuel offload capacity.
“Thailand’s selection of the A330 MRTT+ underlines the trust placed in this platform, while embracing the next evolution in efficiency, capability and sustainability,” said Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space.
The Thai MRTT+ will be equipped with both hose-and-drogue and boom refueling systems based on the configuration seen on the 3D rendering from Airbus. The hose-and-drogue system will be mounted on the A330neo’s new wing design. It is unclear whether the MRTT+ will have to undergo a new round of certification tests to clear the hose-and-drogue system for refueling Thailand’s Gripen fighter fleet, due to the new wing design.
The order addresses Thailand’s national defense requirements while enhancing the Royal Thai Air Force’s ability to respond during crises. The multi-role platform will support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, medical evacuation missions, and strategic airlift requirements. The aircraft will include Airbus’ Medical Evacuation kit and feature a VVIP cabin configuration for government transport missions.
Airbus developed the MRTT+ as production slots for the A330-200 became increasingly limited. The original MRTT platform, launched in the mid-2000s, was based on the A330-200 commercial variant. However, with Airbus ramping up A330neo production and only a handful of legacy A330-200 slots remaining, the company began derisking studies for the neo-based variant in 2023. The new platform maintains 95 percent airframe commonality with the current A330 MRTT fleet, ensuring existing operators can leverage common training processes and access the established global maintenance network.
Beyond the aircraft acquisition, the deal includes an expanded partnership between Airbus and Thai Aviation Industries (TAI). The companies have signed an enhanced Memorandum of Understanding to provide in-country maintenance support for the RTAF’s A330 MRTT+, building upon existing cooperation for C295 transport aircraft sustainment in Thailand.
The successful launch of the MRTT+ with Thailand as the inaugural customer positions Airbus to compete for future international tanker requirements with a more capable and efficient platform.
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