Italy Settles on Airbus Tanker Purchase in Swing Toward European Equipment
The 10-year deal will add six A330 MRTT aircraft to Italy’s fleet, expanding its aerial refueling and transport capability, officials said.
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10 Articles
Italy settles on Airbus tanker purchase in swing toward European equipment
ROME — Italy is to buy six Airbus A330 MRTT multi-role tanker transport aircraft in a €1.4 billion ($1.6 billion) deal after 15 years of flying Boeing tankers.The purchase, which was announced by the European Union’s TED public procurement platform, envisages ten years of logistic support and indicates the A330 was the only aircraft in the bidding.The deal marks a shift from Boeing to Airbus for the Italian Air Force, which flies four Boeing 767…
Italy signs €1.39 billion contract with Airbus for six A330 MRTT tanker aircraft
According to the documents, the agreement between the Italian government and Airbus was signed on 16 April 2026. The aircraft are intended to replace four KC-767 tankers currently operated by the Aeronautica Militare. The decision to select the Airbus aircraft was formally taken on 16 December 2025. The contract is valued at about €1.39 billion, or nearly $1.6 billion. The agreement covers not only the delivery of the aircraft but also a long-te…
Italy is finalizing the purchase of six Airbus A330 MRTT multi-role refueling aircraft under a contract worth €1.4 billion (approximately $1.6 billion). The decision marks the end of the Italian Air Force's 15-year reliance on American Boeing aircraft.
To date, the Italian Aeronautica Militare has depended on a fleet composed of four veteran Boeing KC-767A aircraft, aircraft that entered service more than a decade ago and that have been the battle horses for refuelling, aeromedical evacuation and troop transport missions. Throughout 2022, Rome announced its intention to continue its relationship with the American manufacturer, planning the acquisition of six new Boeing KC-46A Pegasus to replac…
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