Airbus completes current MRTT deliveries to Spain

Spain has now received all three of its currently contracted MRTTs, with a further three expected to be contracted shortly. (Airbus)

Airbus Defence and Space (DS) has completed delivery of Spain's currently contracted three A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft.

The manufacturer announced the milestone on 20 October 2026, saying that the third MRTT ordered in 2021 had now been handed over for the 45th Group of the Spanish Air and Space Force at Torrejón Air Base/Madrid–Torrejón Airport.

For Spain's contracted programme, Airbus DS has converted three former Iberia A330 aircraft to the military MRTT standard (including a medical evacuation kit) at its Getafe site near Madrid. These three aircraft are fitted with the same standard wingtip refuelling pods as every other customer, but while they are being provisioned for the centreline boom they are not currently fitted with it as the Spanish Air and Space Force does not now field a receiver aircraft that would require a boom.

Further to the three aircraft now delivered, Spain agreed a joint procurement of additional MRTTs with Poland in August 2026. This bi-lateral arrangement will see the Spanish Air and Space Force receive a further three airframes, although no contract has yet been awarded.

Prior to receiving its first MRTT, Spain had no strategic tanker-transport capability since retiring the last of its Boeing 707 platforms in 2016. The service's tanker duties were performed by the Airbus DS A400M Atlas, and its personnel transport role by the Airbus DS C295, A400M, and A310-304 platforms, as well as the Dassault Falcon 900B.

For more, please see Poland, Spain agree joint MRTT procurement