Airbus reclaims the MCO of the A330MRTT Phénix from the Air and Space Forces

Airbus A330MRTT Phénix: 10-year contracts for Airbus and Rolls-Royce

The Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) and the DMAé have notified two 10-year contracts for maintenance in operational condition (MCO) of the Air and Space Forces’ Airbus A330MRTT tanker fleet, one for MCO of the fleet excluding engines with Airbus Defense and space The other, for the MCO of the engines, was passed to Rolls-Royce PLC. The Ministry of the Armed Forces states that “it was notified on 6 October 2023 that these two supplementary contracts form a full part of the dynamic support contract vertical led by the DMAé.”

A vision for industrialists who will invest 30 million euros in Ister

The longer duration of contracts gives manufacturers greater visibility and a greater workload. In return, these manufacturers can Making the necessary investments, in this particular case investing 30 million euros in infrastructure near the 125th Easter Air Base. Without forgetting the assistance services that include supporting aircraft deployed outside the national territory. “To ensure refueling missions that are essential for nuclear deterrence and France’s ability to operate reactive and independent,” the Airbus A330MRTT Phénix fleet is operated by the 31st Air Refueling and Refueling Wing. Strategic Transport (EARTS XXXI) located at the 125th Air Base in Istres. This fleet currently includes twelve aircraft and will reach fifteen aircraft before 2030 when the last Airbus A330 is converted to MRTT.

Expanded scope of new MCO contracts

“Airbus support markets have been notified Defense and space Rolls-Royce is also adopting an expanded scope in relation to the previous initial support contract,” notes the Ministry of the Armed Forces, which specifies that “the DMAé is particularly linked to the logistical aspects, to the digital ecosystem of the MRTT (Mission Preparation) fleet, the repatriation system, the technical and logistical information system, etc. That), as well as the possibility of forces benefiting from current or future technological innovations.