The Government of Spain is replacing two ageing VIP-configured A310-300s used to transport the country's state officials with two A330-800(MRTT+) aircraft configured for both military operations and VIP transportation, Spanish military sources told national news outlet ABC.
The A310-300s, registered under military markings T.22-1 (msn 550) and T.22-2 (msn 551), were manufactured in 1990 and 1991, respectively, and have been operated by the Spanish Air Force/Ejército del Aire on behalf of Spain's royal family and government since 2003. Powered by GE Aerospace CF6 engines, both aircraft were originally delivered to Air France.
Now averaging 36 years of age, the A310-300s are considered obsolete and severely worn following 23 years of service with the air force. The condition of the ageing aircraft was highlighted by a technical failure involving T.22-2 on May 3, 2026, forcing Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to spend the night in Ankara before continuing to Yerevan to attend the VII European Political Community Summit.
A330-800(MRTT+) acquisition
Spain's planned acquisition of three A330-800(MRTT+) aircraft, approved by the Council of Ministers on August 25 as part of a joint seven-aircraft procurement with Poland, will include two aircraft configured for both aerial refuelling and VIP transportation, replacing the two A310-300s, according to military sources.
The A330-800(MRTT+) framework agreement will be formalised in two stages. The first aircraft is scheduled for delivery in 2027 as a conventional multirole and in-flight refuelling platform, while the two mixed-configuration aircraft are expected to be delivered in 2028. The three aircraft have a combined value of approximately EUR1.7 billion euros (USD1.9 billion), as part of the EUR4.5 billion (USD5 billion) contract.
Spain's three A330-800(MRTT+) aircraft will join three A330-200(MRTT)s, with two currently in service and a third expected for delivery in October 2026. All three were formerly operated by Iberia and were acquired under a contract signed in November 2021.
Broader fleet and plans
In addition to the two A310-300s, the air force operates five Falcon 900(M)s on behalf of the royal family and government officials, all built between 1988 and 1991. Spanish aerospace magazine Fly News previously reported that Madrid was considering the acquisition of five G650s to replace the ageing Dassault Aviation jets, although this has not been confirmed.
The A330-800(MRTT+) is not the only Airbus platform selected by Spain for the future. The Ministry of Defence's Journal of Astronautics and Aeronautics magazine revealed that the air force had selected the A321 as the basis for Spain's future manned signals intelligence (SIGINT) aircraft.
Plans call for the acquisition of three SIGINT aircraft under the Santiago II programme, valued at approximately EUR436 million (USD487 million). This follows a EUR16 million (USD18 million), 18-month study contract awarded by the Ministry of Defence to Airbus Defence and Space and aerospace company Indra in December 2025. Spain lost manned airborne SIGINT capabilities in 2014 after the retirement of a B707-300C modified quadjet.
Meanwhile, Spain is further considering the Pilatus PC-24 and PC-12 platforms to replace other ageing aircraft. Plans reportedly call for the acquisition of seven PC-24s, due for delivery between 2026 and 2027, with four destined for the air force to replace three Citation Vs and three King Air C90s. The remaining three will be allocated to the Spanish Navy/Armada Española, replacing three Citation IIs and a Citation VII.
In May, the Spanish Navy awarded Pilatus Aircraft a EUR10.3 million (USD11.5 million) contract for a 30-month lease of a fixed-wing aircraft to replace a retired 1997-built Citation VII. The leased aircraft is a 2024-built PC-24, currently registered as HB-VBQ (msn 527), which arrived at Madrid Cuatro Vientes on September 28.
