NATO buys additional MRTTs to accommodate Denmark, Sweden

A file photo of a NATO KC-30M MRTT tanker-transport aircraft. The NSPA has now ordered two more to accommodate Denmark and Sweden, and to bring the MMF up to 12 aircraft. (Airbus)

NATO is acquiring additional Airbus A330 Multinational Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft (KC-30M in alliance service) to accommodate Denmark and Sweden joining the Multinational MRTT Fleet (MMF).

Announced by Airbus Defence and Space (DS) on 24 June, the procurement by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) will see the two new KC-30M aircraft delivered in 2028 and 2029, bringing the MMF up to 12 aircraft.

“This expansion coincides with the formal accession of Sweden and Denmark to the MMF programme, further strengthening European strategic autonomy and collaborative defence capabilities,” Airbus DS said.

News of the acquisition came weeks after the Nordic neighbours of Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden signed on 5 June a letter of intent (LoI) to join the MMF to enhance regional air mobility, aeromedical evacuation, and aerial refuelling capabilities.

Operated by the Multinational MRTT Unit (MMU) based at Eindhoven Air Base in the Netherlands and at Cologne-Wahn Air Base in Germany, the MMF had until now seen Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Norway share the use of 10 KC-30M aircraft (the last of which is to be delivered in 2027). As a current member already, Norway's involvement in the wider Nordic LoI has not been made clear.