The first Airbus A330-200 to be converted into a tanker aircraft under the KC-30 program of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), departs Ireland after receiving paint jobs.

The image of the KC-30 was shared by Brigadier Baptista Jr., Brazilian Air Force Commander, on his social networks.

Em mais um marco do Projeto KC-30, que dotará a NOSSA @fab_oficial com aeronaves estratégicas de transporte e reabastecimento em voo, o A330 a ser batizado como FAB2901 deixa a Irlanda, já nas cores da FAB, para os EUA, onde será recebida contratualmente.
ETA SBGL 26/07 pic.twitter.com/fIIlYJzCir

— Baptista Jr (@CBaptistaJr) July 13, 2022

The A330, to be christened FAB2901, departs Ireland, where it was painted in FAB colors, for the US, where it will be contractually received.

As we reported in April, the Brazilian Air Force purchased two Airbus A330-200 aircraft from Azul airlines, after winning an international bid for US$ 80 million. The aircraft are registered as MSN 1492 and MSN 1508.

The aircraft will receive Airbus MRTT (Multi Role Tanker Transport) modifications, which will enable them to perform in-flight refueling missions, logistic air transport (cargo and passengers) and humanitarian aid.

In situations of public calamity, such as natural disasters, pandemics or medical emergencies, the aircraft can also perform Aeromedical Evacuation Missions (EVAM) for a large number of patients.

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

Both aircraft, which already have defined registration numbers (FAB 2901 and FAB 2902), will be designated KC-30 by the FAB 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).

Maintenance in Jordan, painting in Ireland

According to our partner site Aeroin, Azul had to send the aircraft for maintenance at the Joramco workshops in Amman, Jordan, due to the lack of space in Latin American, North American and European aeronautical workshops.

The same happened with the painting. Joramco did not have enough space available in its workshop to paint the FAB A330-200 in time, so Azul had to look for an alternative. Among the possibilities was to send the aircraft to Abu Dhabi (Etihad), Bogota (Avianca) or Ireland (IAC), the latter being chosen.

The second aircraft, to be delivered in October, will be the MSN 1508, which in the past operated as PR-OCK at Avianca Brazil and has now been acquired by Azul in the international market to be tendered.

The strategic capabilities that the new MRTTs will offer will significantly increase the FAB’s global reach.