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Three F-18 fighter jets from Spain’s 46th Wing successfully carried out their first in-flight refuelling exercise using their new Airbus A330 MRTT (Multi Role Tanker Transport), over the Canary Islands this week, according to the Spanish Air Force.
The mission began at Gando Air Base in Gran Canaria, with the F-18s heading towards mainland Spain to rendezvous mid-air with the A330. The operation involved a series of precision manoeuvres, including multiple approach runs and test connections with the aircraft’s refuelling hose and basket system.
Once the refuelling drills were completed, the jets returned safely to Gran Canaria, clocking up a total of five and a half hours of flight time.
The Air Force confirmed that the mission was part of the certification process for the A330 MRTT and its crew in their new refuelling role, a critical step to ensure the full operational readiness of the aircraft for both national and international missions.
Originally acquired from Iberia and retrofitted at Airbus’s facility in Getafe, the A330 MRTT is a key asset in Spain’s expanding aerial capabilities. The aircraft can carry up to 111 tonnes of fuel without any additional tanks, making it capable of refuelling several aircraft in a single sortie.
Beyond its refuelling capabilities, the A330 MRTT can also transport up to 300 troops or 45 tonnes of cargo, with a range of up to 16,000 kilometres and an flying time of more than 18 hours.
This high-profile test flight is a significant milestone in the Spanish Air and Space Force’s efforts to modernise its fleet and improve mission reach, all while turning the skies above the Canaries into the backdrop for cutting-edge aerial operations.
