It is hard to imagine modern air operations without tanker support to extend the range of friendly aircraft. Six NATO countries teamed up to gain this strategic capability and at the International Sanicole Airshow 2025, you will be able to see their gigantic tanker aircraft when it performs a few flypasses over the airfield thanks to the European Air Transport Command (EATC): the Airbus Military A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT).
Aerial refuelling was reserved for large airforces until recently, but international cooperation has now put it within reach of smaller airforces. The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Czechia, Norway and Germany teamed up to share a fleet of large A330 tanker and transport aircraft to support aerial operations. These aircraft can refuel both via rigid boom, in case of the F-16 and F-35 for instance, at the back of the aircraft, but also using the drogue and hose method, suitable when the receiving aircraft has a refueling probe, like the A400M for example. Five of the fleet of nine aircraft are stationed at Eindhoven in the south of the Netherlands.
The Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) has a massive internal fuel capacity of 111,000 kg, ensures that the A330 MRTT can project air power globally, enabling sustained operations far from base. Beyond its refueling prowess, the A330 MRTT excels as a transport aircraft. Its spacious cabin can be configured to carry up to 300 troops or a significant volume of cargo, with lower deck compartments capable of holding up to 45 tonnes of mixed military and civilian pallets. This multi-role capability also extends to crucial aeromedical evacuation missions, where the aircraft can be rapidly reconfigured to accommodate numerous stretchers and medical personnel.
Come discover this giant of the air at the International Sanicole Airshow in Hechtel-Eksel on 14 September 2025.
