Spain signs off on $6.3 billion budget for joint MRTT buy with Poland

BELFAST — Spain’s Council of Ministers has approved a €5.4 billion ($6.3 billion) spending plan to jointly acquire Airbus-made A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft with Poland.

The Council authorized the conclusion of a seven-year framework agreement for the lucrative acquisition on Tuesday, according to a list of outcomes from its latest meeting, published on the Spanish government’s website.

Madrid’s summary of the tanker approval notes that the purpose of the framework agreement is to both procure the aircraft and cover logistical support required for entry to service.

“The Framework Agreement, making use of the ‘Security [Action] for Europe’ (SAFE) instrument, includes an addendum providing for the participation of the Republic of Poland in this aircraft procurement, which is funded under that instrument,” adds the government statement.

Despite Madrid not disclosing an aircraft quantity, Poland’s deputy prime minister and minister of national defense, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, said on social media platform X today that “at least” seven aircraft will be purchased.

“The next step will be signing the final agreement,” he noted, before explaining that Warsaw will receive four aircraft by 2030, meaning it appears three aircraft will be procured by Spain. A spending plan for Poland’s part of the deal was not shared.

“This is also a crucial decision regarding NATO security and Poland’s security,” the Polish minister said.

In order for a joint contract to be signed, an Airbus spokesperson told Breaking Defense in a statement today that “negotiations will start soon.”

Warsaw has long held interest in an A330 acquisition and decided to firm up planning by initially teaming up with Spain to move ahead with the joint order in July.

Spain’s new commitment follows on from its first order of three MRTT aircraft in 2021. The first of those entered service with the Spanish Air and Space Force’s 45th wing in 2025. According to Airbus, Spain’s fleet is equipped with a hose-and-basket refuelling system, feature endurance in excess of 18 flight hours and a range of 16,000 km (9941 miles).