Airbus has rolled out the first A330 MRTT+ tanker from the final assembly line in Toulouse, bringing the next-generation military transport and refuelling aircraft into view for the first time. The aircraft, identified as serial number 2140 and test registration F-WWCB, is the first example of the upgraded MRTT+ based on the A330-800. The Royal Thai Air Force is the launch customer, with delivery planned for 2029.
The aircraft is expected to move next to Airbus facilities in Getafe, Spain, for military conversion and installation of tanker-specific systems after initial test work. The MRTT+ uses the smaller A330neo airframe and is positioned as a successor to the existing MRTT line, which Airbus has built from the A330-200. Reported performance improvements include about 8% lower fuel burn and a higher maximum takeoff weight of 242 tonnes, compared with 233 tonnes in the baseline reference cited by industry sources.
The Toulouse rollout places the programme into assembly and ground-test work after development activity. It also gives the first clear public sighting of the aircraft before the conversion phase in Spain and the start of more advanced testing.