Italy Eyes Airbus A330 MRTT for New Tanker Aircraft Ending Decade-Long Boeing Partnership.

According to an article published by Defense News on July 12, 2024, Italy might soon launch a tender for the acquisition of new tanker aircraft after suspending its plans to purchase six new Boeing KC-46 tankers, sources close to the matter revealed. This decision marks a strategic shift for the Italian Air Force, which might turn to Airbus A330 MRTT tanker aircraft after a decade-long collaboration with Boeing.
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Airbus A330 Multirole Tanker Transport (MRTT) Aircraft (Picture source: Airbus)

The competition, which could be organized as early as this year, is expected to see the Airbus A330 MRTT as the main contender to replace the four Boeing 767-based tanker aircraft, in service since 2011. If Airbus is selected, it would signify a major change in Italy’s acquisition policy, breaking away from its long-standing reliance on Boeing for its aerial refueling needs.

In 2021, Italy initially planned to upgrade its B-767 tankers and purchase two more. However, the following year, Rome changed its course and opted to buy six new KC-46 aircraft, aligning with the choices of the United States, which has acquired this more modern aircraft. Nevertheless, last month, Italy’s plans changed again when defense planners announced that the €1.1 billion ($1.2 billion) purchase of six KC-46 aircraft had been suspended "due to changed and unforeseen needs."

No further official explanation was provided, but the decision could be related to concerns over the cost and delivery timelines of the new aircraft, Defense News learned. The KC-46 has faced several issues, particularly with its Remote Vision System, designed to provide operators with a view of refueling operations. The delivery of an improved version of this system, dubbed RVS 2.0, is now scheduled for 2026, according to the U.S. Air Force.

Italy’s suspension of this purchase has triggered plans for a potential tender "that could take place in the coming months," a source said on condition of anonymity. Although officials have not ruled out the KC-46, they want to see what other options are available on the market, the source added.

The Airbus A330 MRTT, already acquired by France, Spain, and the United Kingdom, appears to be the most likely alternative. This multi-role tanker aircraft has proven its reliability and capabilities, which could make it an attractive choice for the Italian Air Force.

Meanwhile, the Italian Air Force plans to spend €7.5 billion to acquire 24 new Eurofighter jets, intended to replace 26 older versions set to be retired from service by 2028. This initiative is part of the ongoing efforts to modernize Italy’s armed forces to meet contemporary defense and security requirements.

The Airbus A330 MRTT (Multi Role Tanker Transport) is a multi-role aircraft derived from the civilian A330-200 airliner, designed to meet a variety of military needs such as troop, equipment transport, and air-to-air refueling. Stemming from prolonged considerations of the need for a versatile military aircraft, the development of the A330 MRTT is rooted in Airbus's initial studies for a military version of the A340, called the A340M, in the 1990s. This program, led by General Claude Lemieux under the auspices of COTAM (French Air Transport Command), already envisaged an aircraft combining both cargo and refueling functions. However, due to lack of funding, this project was eventually abandoned.

The experience gained from converting the earlier model, the A310 MRTT, along with the technical characteristics of the A330-200, facilitated the realization of the A330 MRTT. The aircraft shares the same wing design as the A340, including four reinforced attachment points, which allowed for the easy integration of the necessary refueling equipment. Refueling boom systems are installed at the engines numbered 1 and 4, simulating a quad-engine configuration, but with minimal modifications to the A330's basic structure.

Technically, the A330 MRTT can carry up to 111,000 kg of fuel, of which 60,000 kg are available for refueling other aircraft. Its transport capacity varies according to configuration, accommodating up to 380 passengers in a military setup, or 130 stretchers for medical evacuation missions. It can also transport standard commercial containers or eight NATO pallets, offering a cargo capacity comparable to military transport aircraft like the C-130 or the A400M.