The French government has ordered three more Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft to take its total order to 12.
The order is the third and final tranche of the French requirement, the first of which were ordered in 2014. The Armee de L’Air took delivery of its first A330, dubbed Phénix (Phoenix) in French service, in October, and the balance of the fleet is scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2023.
French MRTTs are equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines, and two wing-tip hose and drogue refuelling points and a centreline boom point. The aircraft has seating for 272 passengers, or the indigenous MORPHEE intensive care module which can care for 10 patients and still accommodate 88 passengers.
The French order takes the total number of A330 MRTTs on order to 60 from 12 operators, including seven KC-30As in service with or on order for the RAAF.