https://aviationweek.com/defense-spa...ker-shortfalls
European Cooperation Is Facing Down Tanker Shortfalls
The first of eight Multinational Multirole Tanker and Transport Fleet A330s arrived at Eindhoven Air Base on July 1.
The arrival of the first Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport for the Netherlands-led Multinational Multirole Tanker and Transport Fleet (MMF) has been hailed as transformative for Europe’s aerial refueling capability. But it arguably also marks a major step forward for Europe’s defense cooperation ambitions......
Its eight aircraft—potentially expandable to 11 if more nations join—will be shared by six European nations that have paid for a set number of annual flying hours. The Netherlands and Luxembourg were the first to take the plunge, signing up for 2,000 and 200 hr. a year, respectively. They were subsequently joined by Belgium, with 1,000 hr., Germany with 5,500, and the Czech Republic and Norway for 100 hr. each.
By purchasing hours rather than platforms, small countries that are unable to afford a tanker can still gain access to one, and the single fleet slims down the number of different tankers being used by the various nations. With the arrival of the MRTT, the Netherlands will retire its aging refueling-boom-only McDonnell Douglas KDC-10s, and Germany will phase out its hose-drogue-only Airbus A310 MRTTs......
Five of the aircraft will be based at Eindhoven Air Base in the Netherlands, while three more will be located at a forward operating base in Cologne, Germany.....
The MMU is expected to begin flying its first operational missions on behalf of the member states starting in September and will be tasked with aerial refueling, strategic transport and aeromedical evacuation flights. The unit’s second aircraft will arrive by the end of this month, while the third and fourth aircraft are undergoing conversion by Airbus at its Getafe facility near Madrid.
The program may also break ground to be the first MRTT user to be equipped with a detachable refueling boom that is being developed by Airbus as part of a contract amendment. Usually, the refueling boom would be a permanent fixture, but the amendment calls for the ability to remove the boom to save weight and fuel when flying nonaerial refueling missions.