Airbus Defence and Space has secured a contract to deliver its A330 new generation multi-role tanker transport aircraft (MRTT) to the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF).

Under the contract, whose value remains undisclosed, the company will supply a total of six air-to-air refuelling aircraft to RSAF, making Singapore the sixth nation to select the type following Australia, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the UK.

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Airbus Defence and Space Military Aircraft head Domingo Urena Raso said: "The decision confirms the A330 MRTT’s status as unquestionably the world’s most advanced tanker/transport aircraft as well as its pre-eminent suitability for the Asia-Pacific region."

Powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines, the A330 MRTT aircraft is a military variant of the civilian Airbus A330-200 airliner, and is designed to perform air-to-air refuelling without any additional fuel tanks, and cargo, troop transport and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) missions.

"The company will supply a total of six air-to-air refuelling aircraft to RSAF, making Singapore the sixth nation to select the type."

Capable of carrying 256 passengers, the aircraft can be fitted with the company’s aerial refuelling boom system (ARBS) to refuel receptacle-equipped aircraft, Cobham 905E under-wing refuelling pods for probe-equipped aircraft, and a Cobham 805E fuselage refuelling unit (FRU) for large probe-equipped aircraft.

A universal aerial refuelling receptacle system installation (UARRSI) may be integrated for self in-flight refuelling missions.

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A total of 28 A330 MRTTs have been ordered by to date by four customers, while another customer, Saudi Arabia has also placed a repeat order.

Meanwhile, India is currently in the final stages of contractual negotiations for six aircraft.

Deliveries of the Singaporean aircraft are scheduled to commence in 2018, Defense News reports.

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