The French General Directorate of Armament (DGA) received and delivered to the French Air and Space Force the 12th Phénix A330-MRTT (Multi role tanker transport) refueling and multirole refueling aircraft on Wednesday, September 20, 2023. This aircraft is the last of the first order placed with Airbus. The next deliveries are expected from 2025 onwards.
That makes a dozen ✅️ – the @Armee_de_lair received their 12th A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport. The #A330MRTT ‘Phénix’ fleet is an important asset of military force projection, enabling the French Air and Space Force to deploy to any theatre of operations in the ???? in less… pic.twitter.com/VsmKYWSOq5
— Airbus Defence (@AirbusDefence) September 21, 2023
As part of a European joint purchase program, the 12 A330-MRTT Phénix aircraft purchased for this first series have successfully passed the DGA acceptance and verification tests, notably with the support of the Quality Department teams working directly in Spain or France. All Phénix A330-MRTTs have been tested at the DGA Essais en vol, at the Istres site, following their conversion and the initial tests carried out in Spain, in Getafe.
This first series of 12 aircraft were delivered by Airbus in less than 5 years, from the first delivery in October 2018 until today.
See also: Canada to join the list of A330 MRTT operators
The A330-MRTT Phénix is a multirole aircraft derived from the A330 airliner, produced by Airbus in Toulouse. Its wide range of capabilities allows it to replace several separate fleets of previous-generation aircraft: such as the C135-FR and KC135-RG for in-flight refueling, and the A310 and A340 for strategic personnel and cargo transport.
The Phénix is designed to fulfill the various missions entrusted to the French Air Force: support to the air component of nuclear deterrence, contribution to the permanent air security posture, strategic force and power projection, emergency medical transport.
Three additional A330-MRTT Phénix are expected from 2025.
