Italy is reassessing its future air-to-air refueling fleet after suspending a planned purchase of Boeing KC-46A Pegasus tankers and is now looking closely at the Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), according to defense and industry sources. The Italian Air Force currently operates four Boeing KC-767A tankers, delivered from 2011, and had intended to expand and modernize its fleet with six KC-46As in a deal valued at about €1.1 billion.
A recent planning document from Italian defense authorities halted the KC-46 acquisition, citing changed and unforeseen requirements. Officials have not definitively ruled out the KC-46, but sources indicate Rome is preparing a competitive process that could be launched within months to evaluate alternatives.
The Airbus A330 MRTT is seen as the leading challenger. The widebody tanker-transport is already in service with several European partners, including France, Spain and the United Kingdom, and has been adopted by a growing number of air forces worldwide. The aircraft offers both air-to-air refueling and strategic transport capabilities, allowing rapid reconfiguration between tanker, passenger, cargo and medical evacuation roles.
Italy’s review comes amid broader European efforts to harmonize tanker and transport assets, with multinational initiatives centered on the A330 MRTT. A competition in Italy would likely weigh interoperability with NATO partners, life-cycle costs and industrial cooperation, alongside pure performance metrics.