DÉFENSE ZONE
The Aeronautical Maintenance Directorate (DMAé) is consolidating support for the French Air and Space Force’s A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft through two new contracts, ensuring the operational readiness of this fleet, which is crucial for air-to-air refuelling and strategic transport missions.
The DMAé, together with the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA), recently made official two large-scale contracts, notified on 6 October 2023, aimed at securing the long-term through-life support (MCO) of the A330 MRTT fleet. These contracts, with a minimum duration of 10 years, were awarded to Airbus Defence & Space for the support of the fleet excluding engines and to Rolls-Royce PLC for the support of the engines, marking a decisive step in the support strategy for these versatile aircraft.
These contracts, part of a drive orchestrated by the DMAé to verticalise support contracts, commit the manufacturers to a long-term collaboration, giving them visibility that facilitates the necessary investment. A notable example is the 30 million euro investment in infrastructure near Air Base 125 Istres.
The A330 MRTTs, which joined the French Air and Space Force in 2018, play a pivotal role in air-to-air refuelling missions, which are essential both for nuclear deterrence and for ensuring responsive and autonomous French action on the international stage. They are also involved in strategic transport and medical evacuation missions, and are operated by the 31st Strategic Air Refuelling and Transport Wing (31e EARTS) at Air Base 125 Istres.
The contracts notified to Airbus Defence & Space and Rolls-Royce PLC go beyond the previous initial support contract, with a broader scope and particular attention paid to logistics and to the digital ecosystem of the MRTT fleet. The DMAé is notably overseeing the integration of technical and logistics information systems and is considering the contribution of future technological innovations.
With a fleet that will number fifteen aircraft before 2030, following the conversion of the last Airbus A330 into an MRTT, these contracts are crucial to guaranteeing a level of availability, responsiveness and resilience in line with the requirements of the French Air and Space Force for the Strategic Air Forces. Assistance services, including support for aircraft deployed outside national territory, are also a key element of these agreements, ensuring that crucial refuelling and strategic transport missions can be carried out effectively and safely.
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