The Netherlands and Luxembourg have signed a memorandum of understanding committing them to the acquisition of two Airbus Defence and Space A330 Multi Role Tanker Transports (MRTTs) to be operated by NATO.
The two NATO-owned aircraft are due to be delivered in 2020 and will be based at Eindhoven Air Base, allowing the retirement of the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s existing fleet of two KDC-10 tanker transports, according to a Netherlands Ministry of Defence notification to parliament on July 27.
Belgium, Germany, Norway and Poland also intend funding aircraft to join the planned NATO MRTT pool, taking the planned buy to up to eight aircraft. Collaboration with existing A330 MRTT European customers the UK and France on training and maintenance will also be examined.
The Royal Australian Air Force operates five A330 MRTTs as the KC-30A, with a further two on order.
