Airbus Defence and Space will open a second A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) conversion center in Spain as demand for aerial refueling aircraft continues to grow.
The new facility will be established at Airbus’ San Pablo site in Seville and is expected to begin operations by the end of 2027. It will complement the existing A330 MRTT conversion line in Getafe, near Madrid.
According to Airbus, the expansion will increase annual conversion capacity from five to seven aircraft while also adding maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities for in-service MRTTs.
The announcement comes amid a series of recent tanker aircraft orders in Europe and abroad, including a newly disclosed Italian acquisition of six A330 MRTTs.
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Italy signed a €1.393 billion contract with Airbus Defence and Space in February covering the aircraft and 10 years of logistic support. The new tankers will replace the Italian Air Force’s four Boeing KC-767A aircraft, which entered service in 2011 after development delays.
Rome had previously considered acquiring the Boeing KC-46A Pegasus as part of its tanker modernization plans. Italian defense procurement authorities had reportedly favored the KC-46 due to fleet commonality with the KC-767 fleet, but the government suspended the process in 2024 following revised operational requirements and concerns over costs and delivery timelines.
The Italian order is believed to involve the current A330 MRTT standard based on the A330-200 rather than the newer A330 MRTT+ unveiled by Airbus at the 2024 Farnborough Airshow.
The MRTT+ uses the A330-800neo platform powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines and offers an estimated 8% reduction in fuel burn compared with the current version. Airbus says the aircraft also features a higher maximum takeoff weight while maintaining about 95% commonality with the existing MRTT fleet.
Thailand became the launch customer for the MRTT+ in 2025, with conversions scheduled to begin in Getafe next year.
91 orders from 19 countries
Airbus says the A330 MRTT has accumulated 91 orders from 19 countries and holds around 90% of the tanker market outside the United States.
Additional European demand could emerge in the coming years. Poland is evaluating the acquisition of up to four aircraft through the European Union’s SAFE defense funding mechanism, while Spain has indicated plans to expand its own MRTT fleet beyond the current three aircraft.
The NATO Multinational MRTT Fleet based in Eindhoven also expanded to 12 aircraft in 2025 following the accession of Sweden and Denmark.
Outside Europe, Saudi Arabia ordered four additional MRTTs in 2024, while Canada is converting five second-hand A330-200s alongside four newly built aircraft for its CC-330 Husky program.
The San Pablo facility already hosts the A400M and C295 assembly lines as well as Airbus military training operations. Airbus said the site’s industrial infrastructure and proximity to Getafe supported the decision to establish the second tanker conversion center there.
