Italy Orders Six Airbus A330 MRTT Tankers, Abandons Boeing KC-46 Deal
Italy finalized a €1.4 billion deal to purchase six Airbus A330 MRTT multi-role tanker aircraft, replacing its earlier plan to buy Boeing KC-46 tankers. The shift, driven by cost and delivery concerns, aligns with a European trend toward defense equipment commonality and reduced reliance on U.S. products amid trans-Atlantic tensions. The contract includes ten years of logistic support, with deliveries expected by 2027.
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Italy orders 6 Airbus A330 MRTT tankers for €1.39 billion after cancelling Boeing KC 46A Pegasus purchase
Italy has ordered six Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft for €1.39 billion, following the cancellation of a previous deal to purchase Boeing KC-46A Pegasus tankers. The contract, announced by Army Recognition, marks a significant shift in Italy's aerial refueling and transport capabilities. The Airbus A330 MRTT is a proven platform used by several NATO allies, offering both air-to-air refueling and cargo transport functions. The decision to cancel the Boeing order and switch to Airbus reflects ongoing procurement challenges and strategic realignment within the Italian Air Force. The deal strengthens Airbus's position in the European defense market while dealing a blow to Boeing's tanker program in the region.
"site:armyrecognition.com" - Google NewsItaly Orders 6 Airbus A330 MRTT Tankers for €1.39 Billion After Cancelling Boeing KC-46A Pegasus Purchase
Italy has ordered six Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft for €1.39 billion, following the cancellation of a previous deal to purchase Boeing KC-46A Pegasus tankers. The contract, announced by Army Recognition, marks a significant shift in Italy's aerial refueling capabilities. The A330 MRTT will replace the Italian Air Force's aging Boeing KC-767A fleet and enhance its strategic airlift and refueling capacity. The decision to cancel the Boeing order was reportedly due to delays and technical issues with the KC-46A program. The new tankers are expected to be delivered by 2027, strengthening Italy's participation in NATO and European defense operations.
"site:armyrecognition.com" - Google NewsItaly Selects Airbus A330 MRTT Tankers in Shift from Boeing to European Equipment
Italy has finalized a €1.4 billion ($1.6 billion) deal to purchase six Airbus A330 MRTT multi-role tanker transport aircraft, marking a strategic shift away from Boeing after 15 years of operating Boeing 767-based tankers. The purchase, announced via the EU's TED procurement platform, includes ten years of logistic support and notes the A330 was the sole bidder. Italy had previously planned to upgrade its four Boeing 767 tankers and acquire two more, then switched to ordering six KC-46 aircraft in 2022. However, in 2024, Rome suspended the KC-46 acquisition citing 'changed and unforeseen needs,' with reports linking the halt to cost and delivery timeline concerns. The decision aligns with a broader European trend toward equipment commonality and growing wariness of US defense products amid tensions in the trans-Atlantic alliance under President Trump. France, Spain, and the UK already operate the A330 MRTT, and several other European nations use it through NATO pooling arrangements.
Defense NewsItaly Settles on Airbus Tanker Purchase in Swing Toward European Equipment
Italy has finalized a €1.4 billion ($1.6 billion) deal to purchase six Airbus A330 MRTT multi-role tanker transport aircraft, marking a significant shift from its previous reliance on Boeing tankers. The Italian Air Force currently operates four Boeing 767-based tankers that entered service in 2011. Italy had initially planned to upgrade its Boeing fleet and purchase two more, then switched to buying six KC-46 aircraft in 2022, but suspended that plan in 2024 due to cost and delivery time concerns. The new Airbus order includes ten years of logistic support and was announced via the EU's TED public procurement platform, with the A330 being the only aircraft in the bidding. The decision reflects a broader trend among European militaries to seek greater commonality and reduce dependence on U.S. products, particularly amid tensions in the trans-Atlantic alliance under President Trump. France, Spain, and the UK are already customers of the A330 MRTT, and other European nations use it through NATO pooling.
Defense NewsItaly Selects Airbus A330 MRTT Tankers in €1.4 Billion Deal, Moving Away from Boeing
Italy has finalized a €1.4 billion ($1.6 billion) deal to purchase six Airbus A330 MRTT multi-role tanker transport aircraft, marking a significant shift from its previous reliance on Boeing tankers. The announcement was made via the European Union's TED public procurement platform and includes ten years of logistic support. The Italian Air Force currently operates four Boeing 767-based tankers that entered service in 2011. Italy had initially planned to upgrade its Boeing fleet and purchase two more, then in 2022 decided to buy six new KC-46 aircraft. However, in 2024, Italy suspended those plans due to cost and delivery time concerns, and began considering Airbus. The decision aligns with a broader trend among European militaries seeking greater equipment commonality and growing wariness of US defense products amid tensions in the trans-Atlantic alliance under President Trump. France, Spain, and the UK are existing customers of the A330 MRTT, with other European nations using it through NATO pooling.
Defense NewsItaly Selects Airbus A330 MRTT Tankers in €1.4 Billion Deal, Moving Away from Boeing
Italy has finalized a €1.4 billion ($1.6 billion) deal to purchase six Airbus A330 MRTT multi-role tanker transport aircraft, marking a significant shift from its previous reliance on Boeing tankers. The announcement was made via the European Union's TED public procurement platform and includes ten years of logistic support. The Italian Air Force currently operates four Boeing 767-based tankers that entered service in 2011. Italy had initially planned to upgrade its Boeing fleet and purchase two more, then switched to ordering six KC-46 tankers in 2022. However, in 2024, Rome suspended the KC-46 acquisition due to cost and delivery timeline concerns, and began considering Airbus. The decision aligns with a broader European trend toward greater equipment commonality and wariness of US defense products, particularly amid tensions in the trans-Atlantic alliance under President Trump. France, Spain, and the UK are existing customers of the A330 MRTT, and several other European nations operate the aircraft through NATO pooling arrangements.
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