Airbus has delivered the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) first A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT). The aircraft made its first official public appearance on 1^st September at the RSAF’s 50th anniversary parade.

The new-generation A330 MRTT extends the endurance of the RSAF’s fighter aircraft, and ensures the service’s continued capability to provide air-to-air refuelling support.

It also provides the RSAF with greater cargo and passenger transport capabilities, and enhances its ability to contribute to international humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) and peace support operations.

Singapore has a total of six MRTT tankers on order under a contract announced in March 2014. Six other nations have selected the Airbus tanker to date — Australia, France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UK and the United Arab Emirates. A total of eight aircraft have also been ordered for the European/NATO Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport Fleet (MMF) programme

The RSAF's A330 MRTTs will serve as a testbed for digital technology collaboration between Airbus and Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA). The first initiative under this agreement concerns the development of 3D-printing of spare parts to be initially trialled on the MRTT aircraft.

Under the terms of an implementation agreement signed at the Farnborough Airshow, Airbus Defence and Space will support DSTA in designing and certifying parts produced by additive manufacturing for the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) aircraft.