Airbus Military has commenced conversion work on the first of three A330 MRTT tankers for the United Arab Emirates, meaning MRTT conversion work is now underway aircraft for the type’s four customers, which also includes Australia, the UK and Saudi Arabia.
Like Australia, the UAE and Saudi aircraft will be configured with a centreline boom and two wing mounted hose and drogue refuelling systems, while the UK’s MRTTs will not have the centreline boom.
Australia’s first two KC-30A tankers are due to be delivered later this year, nearly two years behind schedule.
