Confirmed: A330s sold by Azul to the Brazilian Air Force will be MRTTs

The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) signed on Monday (18/04), the contract for the acquisition of two A330-200 aircraft, compatible with the A330 MRTT (Multi-Role Tanker Transport) military version.

Ads

According to our partner site Aeroin, Azul S.A. was declared the winner after meeting all the requirements of the bidding process, with a global offer of approximately US$ 80 million. This process was closed on April 7.

The airline presented aircraft number MSN 1492, which already operated with the registration PR-AIS and which in the past operated as PR-OCJ in Avianca Brasil, and MSN 1508, which in the past operated as PR-OCK in Avianca Brasil and has now been acquired by Azul in the international market to be offered for bidding.

The acquisition aims to convert these aircraft into the MRTT version to meet the FAB’s operational needs in strategic actions, such as in-flight refueling, logistic air transport (cargo and passengers), and humanitarian aid. In situations of public calamities, such as natural disasters, pandemics, or medical emergencies, the aircraft can also perform Aeromedical Evacuation Missions for a large number of patients.

As foreseen in the public announcement, the first aircraft is to be delivered within 90 days and the second within 150 days from the signing of the contract. Both aircraft, whose registration numbers have already been defined (FAB 2901 and FAB 2902), will be designated KC-30 and will be operated by the Second Squadron of the Second Transport Group (2nd/2nd GT) – Corsair Squadron, based at the Galeão Air Base (BAGL), in Rio de Janeiro (RJ).

Ads

The White A330 MRTT: A subtle message from Airbus to the region

The future Airbus KC-30s will complement the Embraer KC-390s in missions requiring the use of an aircraft with strategic employment characteristics, significantly increasing the FAB’s global reach.