21 November 2014. Paris has decided its selection of the Airbus A330 MRTT, replacing Boeing KC-135s transport tanker aircraft.
The old fleet Boeing KC-135s have been in operational for decades and French Military assess this aircraft are no longer suitable for modern mission and warfare.
Airbus A330 MRTT While Refueling F-18s Hornet of Royal Australian Air Force
Airbus states that the agreement between Airbus Defence & Space and French Procurement Agency (DGA) has been approved.
The first Airbus A330 MRTT (Multirole Tanker Transport) is expected to be received in 2018 and the second aircraft in 2019. Airbus says the remaining aircraft will be delivered one to two aircraft per year. French DGA orders about 12 Airbus A330 MRTT.
There is no official statement regarding the value of the orders, but the deal cover qualification activities, personnel training, development and initial five-year of in-service support services.
France will be the seventh country who own the A330 MRTT, following Australia, Uni Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, India, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Singapore.
Airbus A330 MRTT has the same platform with Airbus A330 Series. The A330 MRTT is designed to be able perform aerial fuel refueling as well as transport aircraft.