Seven European Nations Fail To Support Joint Tanker Fleet
Only two Airbus A330MRTT aircraft ordered by only two countries
An artists’ impression of an A330MRTT from the future pooled European fleet refueling an F-35. (Airbus D&S)
An artists’ impression of an A330MRTT from the future pooled European fleet refueling an F-35. (Airbus D&S)

The long-mooted European Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport Fleet (MMF) moved a step closer to reality with the signing of a contract with Airbus Defense & Space for two A330MRTTs, for delivery in 2020. The Organization for Joint Armament Cooperations (French acronym OCCAR) committed to the aircraft on behalf of the Netherlands and Luxembourg. But seven other European NATO countries that were expected to commit to the MMF have not yet done so.