I note that the Luftwaffe is to replace its pair of A340-300 with 3 x A350XWB. Perhaps thought should be given to doing an in-house EFW A310MRTT-style AAR conversion to 2 of them, given that the Luftwaffe has ruled out the F-35 as a Tornado replacement and is considering the Typhoon and/or F/A-18E/F. No boom therefore needed for Luftwaffe requirements.
Wouldn't have really been an issue as Germany has joined the European/NATO multinational MMF programme, using boom-equipped A330 MRTTs.
From Jane's:
Germany, Norway sign for five NATO-owned MRTT tanker-transports
Date Posted: 26-Sep-2017
Author: Gareth Jennings
Publication: Jane's Defence Weekly
Germany and Norway have placed a firm order for five Airbus Defense and Space (DS) A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft to be fielded under the auspices of the European/NATO Multinational Multi Role Tanker Transport Fleet (MMF).
The announcement by Airbus DS on 25 September came some three months after the two nations formally joined the MMF programme, alongside members Luxembourg and the Netherlands, which had already signed up for two aircraft to be handed over between 2020 and 2022. In addition to the seven MRTTs now contracted, there are options for a further four aircraft should other nations join the programme.
As noted by Airbus DS, the four nations now funding the MMF programme will have the exclusive to operate these NATO-owned aircraft in a pooling arrangement. The aircraft will be configured for in-flight refuelling, the transport of passengers and cargo, and medical evacuation flights.
The Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation (OCCAR) is managing the acquisition phase of MMF on behalf of the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), which will then be responsible for the complete life-cycle management of the fleet.
Comment
As previously noted by director of OCCAR, Arturo Alfonso-Meiriņo, there is the option for additional countries to join the programme beyond the four that have already signed up. While not named in the announcement, Belgium and Poland have previously declared their interest in a pooled tanker capability.