The first aircraft from the quartet will enter the Airbus Defence and Space facilities in Getafe, Spain for conversion at the beginning of 2026. This aircraft is scheduled for delivery and RSAF service entry in 2027 to carry out air-to-air refuelling and transport missions.
The latest contract includes a logistics support package covering spare parts, training services and service support for the four additional aircraft.
Airbus Defence and Space has now received orders for 82 A330 MRTTs from customers in 15 countries in Europe, Asia, America and Oceania.
The agreement for further RSAF A330 MRTTs also includes the transfer of technology and knowhow of the aircraft to local companies in Saudia Arabia. SAAMS, a joint venture between Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) and Airbus, “will be the main vehicle for industrial localisation”, Airbus said.
Airbus and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) signed an Industrial Participation agreement in January 2024 for the development and growth of the industrial ecosystem in the region in support of Vision 2030, a Saudi government programme to diversify the country’s economy.
The four new aircraft will take the RSAF A330 MRTT fleet to ten, joining the six currently in RSAF service operated by 24 Squadron at Prince Sultan Air Base, Al Kharj.
The first RSAF A330 MRTT to be delivered, back in January 2013, was serial number 2403 (c/n 1235). Subsequent Saudi A330 MRTT deliveries comprised 2402 (c/n 996, handed over in February 2013), 2401 (c/n 980, June 2013), 2404 (c/n 1379, April 2014), 2405 (c/n 1478, March 2015), and 2406 (c/n 1516, June 2015).
The A330 MRTT can refuel aircraft in two ways – using the rear-fuselage Airbus Defence and Space Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS) or the Cobham 905E under-wing pods providing hose and drogue refuelling.
According to Airbus, the ARBS can offload fuel at a rate of up to a maximum 3,600kg/minute (1,200 US gallons/minute). The under-wing pods can transfer fuel at a rate of 1,300kg/minute (420 US gallons/minute).
Airbus says the A330 MRTT can accommodate up to 300 passengers in a single-class layout (or 266 passengers in typical two-class). The aircraft has a 45,000kg (99,000lb) cargo payload and a strategic aeromedical evacuation configuration carries up to 130 NATO stretchers.
