The first Airbus A330-200 of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) flew to Jordan to be overhauled and receive the military paint scheme, said Force Commander Brigadier Baptista Junior.
The aircraft, registered PR-AIS, took off from Viracopos Airport, in Brazil, on Friday, but the FAB did not provide details on the destination and which company will carry out the maintenance work.
The Air Force acquired two second-hand A330-200s from the Azul company through the KC-X3 competition. The Brazilian government paid around $80 million for the two widebodies, manufactured in 2014 the second aircraft, MSN 1508, has yet to be delivered.
The intention is to transform them to the A330 MRTT (Multi-Role Tanker Transport) standard, which includes the installation of hoses and aerial refueling probe. But for that it will be necessary to launch a second bid, still without forecast.
The new FAB strategic aircraft will receive the designation KC-30 and will be operated by the Second Squadron of the Second Transport Group, the “Corsario Squadron”, which is based at the Galeao Air Base, in Rio de Janeiro. The aircraft will use FAB 2901 and FAB 2902 registrations and are expected to enter service in 2024.
