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The first Airbus A330 MRTT+ is nearing delivery to the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) after emerging from the assembly line in Toulouse. The first appearance of this game-changing aircraft offers a glimpse of the new plane that will provide a new generation of tanker and transport aircraft.
The plane, which has yet to receive its Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, is expected to be delivered to Thailand in 2029. The Royal Thai Air Force ordered one aircraft in September last year. The A330 MRTT+ boasts superior performance compared with Boeing’s multi-role tanker transport, as the American plane maker’s KC-46A Pegasus lacks range and muscle.
Needs To Undergo Military Conversion In Spain
Once fitted with engines, the plane will then be required to undergo military conversion at Airbus Defence and Space in Getafe, Spain. This work will equip the otherwise commercial airframe with Airbus Aerial Refueling Boom Systems and hose-and-drogue refueling equipment for the soon-to-be tanker.
This is significant for Airbus and the RTAF, having only launched the A330 MRTT+ at the Farnborough International Airshow in 2024. It will succeed the A330 MRTT and be built on the A330-200 airframe. The new type is based on the A330-800neo, a much less popular member of the NEO family, with just 14 commercial orders, but is suggested to be perfect for the MRTT+ model.
The MRTT+ will be fitted with Trent 7000 engines and will have revised wings and new wingtips. This will reduce fuel consumption by around 8% and improve maximum takeoff weight up to 242 tonnes. Overall, the aircraft will retain 95% similarity to the existing A330 MRTT airframe.
Destined For The Royal Thai Air Force
One of the oldest air forces in Asia, the RTAF has a modest fleet of more than 20 aircraft, including (but not limited to) the Airbus A319, A340, and Sukhoi Superjet 100 for passenger aircraft, while the Saab JAS 39 Gripen, Dornier Alpha Jet, and Beechcraft AT-6 are combat airframes.
In September 2025, the RTAF ordered the next-generation MRTT+ for its A330neo-based, combat-proven capabilities. The plane is scheduled for delivery in 2029 and will also be fitted with an Airbus Medical Evacuation kit solution and a VVIP cabin configuration. The RTAF’s selection of this plane underscores its confidence in the Airbus jet’s efficiency, capability, and sustainability.
This strategic step is a significant move for the RTAF to enhance its national defense and its ability to respond quickly in a crisis. The A330 MRTT overall has been cleared to refuel more than 25 aircraft types, and has been ordered by militaries around the world, including Australia, Canada, France, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Spain. To date, 11 customers have ordered more than 85 aircraft.
Collaboration With Thai Aviation Industries
Alongside the order, Airbus has strengthened its collaboration with Thai Aviation Industries, which has signed a memorandum of understanding that will include in-country maintenance support for the A330 MRTT+ destined for the RTAF. This will support maintenance and in-service support, building on the existing cooperation for the C295 transport aircraft in the Kingdom.
This marks an important step in the long-term strategy with the Make In Thailand Policy, increasing self-reliance for critical operational needs. This partnership focuses on transferring skills and further developing Thailand’s aerospace capabilities, while ensuring the aircraft can be maintained domestically.
The evolution of the MRTT+ for Airbus casts a shadow on Boeing, widening the performance gap between Airbus’ refueling platform and the troubled Boeing KC-46A Pegasus. Airbus’ baseline A330neo model has dramatically outpaced Boeing in the international tanker market. Airbus’ model has a 41% range advantage when compared to the KC-46A, which is derived from the 767.
