The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has ordered four additional Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft for the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF).
The first of these aircraft will enter conversion at the beginning of 2026, joining the RSAF in 2027 to carry out air-to-air refuelling and transport missions.
Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space, noted that this new order demonstrates the high level of customer satisfaction with the A330 MRTT. He highlighted that this is the third contract signed by Saudi Arabia for the A330 MRTT, making the RSAF one of the largest MRTT operators in the world.
The contract includes a logistics support package with spare parts, training services and service support for the new aircraft. All RSAF A330 MRTTs are configured with hose and drogue pods, boom systems, and refuelling receptacles, allowing them to be refuelled from boom-equipped tankers.
As part of this contract, Airbus signed an industrial participation (IP) agreement with the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) in January 2024. This agreement supports Vision 2030, a Saudi government programme aimed at diversifying the country's economy. The agreement includes the transfer of technology and know-how for the RSAF A330 MRTT to local companies. SAAMS, the joint venture created between Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) and Airbus, will be the main vehicle for industrial localisation.
The A330 MRTT is the most capable new-generation tanker and transport aircraft, holding a 90% market share outside the U.S.A. with 82 orders from 15 countries across Europe, Asia, America and Oceania.
