Saudi Arabia Finalizes Deal To Purchase 4 Airbus Military Jets
Saudi Arabia finalized a deal on Wednesday to purchase four A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) military aircraft from European aerospace manufacturer Airbus, according to the kingdom’s defense ministry.
While the four planes in question are not expected to enter service until 2027, the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) already extensively uses the variant in a transport role and for air-to-air refueling missions.
“This is the third contract signed by Saudi Arabia for the A330 MRTT, making the RSAF one of the largest MRTT operators,” Jean-Brice Dumont, head of air power at Airbus Defense and Space, said in the statement.
Airbus said that along with the four aircraft, the deal includes technology transfer to local companies, a logistics support package with spare parts, training, and service support.
The deal’s Industrial Participation (IP) component seeks to improve Saudi Arabia’s local manufacturing capacity and technological expertise in line with the previously established bilateral partnership between Saudi Arabian Military Industries and Airbus, otherwise known as SAAMS.
The contract also aligns with key goals of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s ambitious economic transformation program, Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to see at least 50% of the Saudi military budget spent on equipment manufactured domestically.
