United Arab Emirates Air Force
& Air Defence

The United Arab Emirates set forth the requirements for an air-to-air refuelling capability and launched a contest.

A contract for three A330 MRTTs was signed with EADS
in January 2008.

All the aircraft will be converted in Spain. The conversion into MRTT of the first aircraft started in February 2010 at the Airbus Military facilities.

The configuration is the following:
• Engines: Rolls-Royce Trent 700
• Transport:
   - Passengers: 256 seats in a two-class configuration (16+240)
   - Permanent lower deck capacity: 8 x 463-L NATO military pallets
• AAR Equipment:
   - One ARBS
   - Two Cobham 905E under-wing pods
   - One UARRSI receptacle