Tag: Airbus Defence and Space

04 more A330 MRTT refuellers for Saudi Arabia

A Royal Saudi Air Force Airbus A330 MRTT (Multi Role Tanker Transport) | Photo: Pablo Cabellos del Sol/Airbus Defence and Space

The Royal Saudi Air Force already operates six Airbus A330 MRTT aircraft and the four new aircraft are expected to enter service in 2027. A total of 82 A330 MRTT aircraft have been ordered by 15 countries, giving Airbus a 90 percent market share outside the USA.

Airbus unveils new loyal wingman concept

Concept art of the new Wingman introduced by Airbus at International Aerospace Exhibition ILA in Berlin | Image: Airbus Defence and Space

According to Airbus, ‘In military aviation, a Wingman is a pilot in another aircraft that protects and supports the flight lead, delivers more tactical options and thus contributes to mission success. In the Airbus concept, the Wingman is going to operate very much in the same way – only that it is neither a pilot nor a fighter jet flown by one. It is a fighter-type drone that will be commanded by a pilot in a current combat aircraft such as the Eurofighter and can take on high-risk mission tasks that would pose a bigger threat to manned-only aircraft.’

Airbus delivers first C-295 to India
| The aircraft is the first in an order for 56 C-295 transport aircraft to replace the Avro 748 aircraft of the Indian Air Force with final delivery by August 2031

The first Indian Air Force C-295 | Source: Airbus Defence and Space

According to Airbus, ‘The first 16 C295s of the 56 aircraft on order will be assembled at the San Pablo Sur site in Seville, Spain, with the second aircraft due to be delivered in May 2024 and the next 14 rolled out at a rate of one per month until August 2025.’

Podcast: Breaking down MMRCA 2.0

Angad Singh and Pushan Das help StratPost editor Saurabh Joshi understand how the new IAF fighter contest will be different from the last one and why it will take two general elections before an order is placed.