Airbus MRTT: 111 tons of fuel, 300 troops, or 45 tons of cargo

The MRTT aircraft have already played a decisive role in the Danish Armed Forces’ increased presence and exercise activity in Greenland. The fleet is now being expanded.

16. januar, 2026 - Kl. 12.20
MRTT Multi-Role Tanker Transport

By Danish Defence

Denmark has just joined NATO’s cooperative framework for aerial refueling and air transport capacity, the Multinational Multi Role Tanker Transport Fleet (MMF). The concept is straightforward: Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway—and now Sweden and Denmark—jointly own a fleet of aircraft that member nations can draw upon as needed. This shared approach ensures far more efficient use of total airlift capacity than if each country were to maintain its own aircraft and supporting organization.

 

At present, the MMF consortium operates 10 Airbus multi-role tanker transport aircraft (MRTT). As part of Denmark’s accession, two additional tanker-transport aircraft of the same type will be procured for the program. These two aircraft are scheduled for delivery in 2028 and 2029 and will be permanently based at an air station in Denmark.

 

Multi-role capability

What sets the MRTT apart is its ability to conduct aerial refueling using multiple refueling systems while simultaneously carrying troops or cargo. The aircraft can also be configured as a flying hospital, enabling the evacuation and treatment of large numbers of wounded personnel from a war zone or disaster area.

 

The MRTT is a converted variant of the civilian Airbus A330, a platform with a proven track record, with more than 1,800 aircraft in service with airlines worldwide. The MRTT is currently operated by 15 countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, South Korea, and Spain. Outside the United States, the type accounts for approximately 90 percent of newly acquired tanker aircraft.

 

Supporting Arctic operations

MRTT aircraft have already played a crucial role during the Danish Armed Forces’ increased presence and exercise activities in Greenland. Multi-role tanker aircraft with French crews have enabled Danish fighter aircraft to operate in the region, while NATO’s shared MMF aircraft have transported personnel and cargo to Iceland and Greenland.

 

Prior to Denmark’s entry into the MMF cooperation, France provided MRTT tanker aircraft in support of Danish F-35A flights across the Atlantic.

 

Denmark’s participation in the MMF program is estimated at DKK 7.4 billion for the period 2025–2033. The project is financed through the Danish Acceleration Fund.

Facts

  • The MRTT is a converted version of the civilian Airbus A330. The conversion is carried out in Spain and takes approximately nine months—about 100,000 working hours—to transform a civilian aircraft into a multi-role tanker transport.
  • The MMF fleet will grow from 10 to 12 aircraft. The two additional aircraft are expected to be delivered in 2028 and 2029 and will be permanently based at a Danish air station.
  • The aircraft’s fuel tanks can hold up to 111 tons of fuel, allowing the MRTT to refuel even large aircraft such as the A400M or C-130. By comparison, the fuel capacity of a Danish F-35A is approximately eight tons.
  • The MRTT features a sensor-based refueling solution that enables aerial refueling operations without visible external lighting.

The aircraft can carry up to 45 tons of cargo or as many as 300 troops. The cabin corresponds fully to that of a standard civilian airliner but can also be configured for VIP transport or MEDEVAC missions, with facilities for treating critically ill or injured patients.

The Multinational Multi Role Tanker Transport Fleet (MMF) is a multinational NATO cooperation in which several European NATO countries pool their requirements for aerial refueling and strategic airlift by jointly operating tanker and transport aircraft from European air bases. The MMF currently includes Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.