French Minister of the Armed Forces, Florence Parly, announced today that the delivery rate of MRTT Phénix will be accelerated: by 2023, the French Air Force (Armée de l'Air) will field 12 A330-MRTT.

By 2023, the French Air Force (Armée de l'Air) will field 12 A330-MRTT. Airbus picture.

Following a Ministerial Committee, the French defense procurement agency (DGA) was tasked with accelerating the deliveries of  A330-MRTT (MultiRole Transport Tanker) Phénix.

This decision is directly in line with the dynamic of the 2019-2025 French military planning law, which provides for the acceleration of the modernization of the equipment of the forces and, in particular, the tanker aircraft. It has the effect of advancing to 2023 - two years earlier than planned - the delivery of twelve aircraft and creating the conditions for bringing the fleet to fifteen aircraft in the years that follow.

Thanks to its versatility, the MRTT Phoenix replaces two distinct fleets: the current fleet of tankers (C135-FR and KC135R, some of which will be 60 years of age when they are pulled from service) and the strategic transport of personnel and freight. (A310 and A340).

The Phénix missions will include the implementation of the air component of French nuclear deterrence, the projection of forces and power as well as the medical transport in case of emergency medical evacuation.

MRTT Phénix is based on the Airbus A330 airliner militarized to meet the missions entrusted to it.