Nordic neighbours to join Multinational MRTT Fleet

The Nordic countries have set out their intent to join the Multinational MRTT Fleet, based on the Airbus A330 MRTT aircraft (pictured). (NATO Support and Procurement Agency)

The Nordic neighbours of Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden have signed a letter of intent (LOI) to join the Multinational Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) Fleet (MMF) to enhance regional air mobility, aeromedical evacuation, and aerial refuelling capabilities.

Signed by the defence ministers of the respective countries on 5 June, the LOI is part of the wider Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO) agreement between the northern NATO countries.

Norway and Denmark had already previously announced their intentions to join the MMF, which is operated by the Multinational MRTT Unit (MMU) based at Eindhoven Air Base in the Netherlands, and also located at Cologne-Wahn Air Base in Germany.

This LOI appears geared at developing a Nordic rather than a national capability for the four countries concerned.

The announcement did not disclose when the Nordic grouping will become active in the MMF, but when that happens it will join Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands in sharing 10 Airbus A330 MRTT aircraft, designated KC-30M in NATO service, to be delivered by 2027.

Six KC-30Ms will operate from Eindhoven Air Base, with a further four operating from the forward-operating base at Cologne-Wahn Air Base (one of which will be permanently configured for the medical evacuation [medevac] role).

For more information on the MMU, please seeNATO's air force: Pooled aviation grows alliance capabilities .