Eindhoven Airport, Netherlands – A new A330 Multirole Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft, identified by tail number T-061, has recently touched down, marking a significant addition to the Multinational MRTT Fleet (MMF). Operated by experienced MMU pilots, the aircraft completed its journey from Airbus’ Getafe facility in Spain to its new Main Operating Base at Eindhoven.
Designed for versatile mission capabilities, the A330 MRTT combines air-to-air refueling with cargo and personnel transport capabilities. In the coming days, MMU technicians will equip the aircraft with refueling pods, integral to its hose and drogue system, enabling mid-air refueling operations crucial for NATO air missions. This enhancement underscores the MMU’s operational flexibility and strengthens its contribution to allied operations.
The arrival of T-061 marks the eighth aircraft in the MMU fleet, with plans to acquire a total of ten by 2026. This expansion underscores the commitment of participating nations—Belgium, Czechia, Germany, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, and Norway—to bolstering shared aerial refueling and airlift capacities across Europe.
The MMF, managed by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), operates under a pooling and sharing arrangement outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding. This cooperative framework allows nations to pool resources and share costs, leveraging economies of scale to maximize operational efficiency. The MMF team operates from NSPA headquarters in Capellen, Luxembourg, with additional support facilities in Eindhoven, Cologne-Wahn, Bonn, and Getafe.
The MMF stands as a testament to effective NATO-EU collaboration, delivering critical capabilities such as strategic transport, air-to-air refueling, and medical evacuation in support of allied missions.
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