DefensePoland seeks EU funding for up to four Airbus A330 MRTT tankers in €1bn deal
Poland has authorized its defense minister to seek European Union financing for the acquisition of two to four Airbus A330 MRTT aerial refueling aircraft, aiming for a contract soon. The potential purchase could total up to €1 billion, according to government sources.
The move comes as Poland faces growing operational demands on NATO’s eastern flank and increases the size of its combat aircraft fleet. The acquisition is intended to address both aerial refueling and strategic transport shortfalls.
“It is a scarce resource within NATO, and difficult to access,” said General Ireneusz Nowak, chief of the General Command of the Polish Armed Forces.
The A330 MRTT can carry up to 45 tonnes of cargo or 267 passengers, supporting both military and humanitarian missions. Airbus is developing a new MRTT+ variant, which is expected to cut fuel consumption by up to 8 percent.
Poland’s funding request falls under the EU’s SAFE program, which provides up to €43.7 billion for defense initiatives until 2030. The defense ministry is considering using this mechanism to offset a significant portion of acquisition costs.
Poland previously participated as a founding member of NATO’s Multinational MRTT Fleet in 2014 but withdrew in 2015 and 2016 to pursue a national tanker program.
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