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NATO boosts aerial refueling capability

Xinhua, August 9, 2016 Adjust font size:

NATO is boosting its ability to refuel aircraft in mid-air with equipping new air-to-air refueling tankers, the organization said Tuesday.

NATO allies, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, have decided to purchase two Airbus A330 multi-role tanker transport aircraft recently, according to a NATO press release.

The aircraft will be NATO property and be stationed at Eindhoven Air Base for pooling and sharing, said the Dutch Ministry of Defense.

Air-to-air refueling tankers are critical to long-distance deployments in support of other aircraft.

The Airbus tankers will be able to refuel a wide range of NATO aircraft. They will also support European capabilities in strategic passenger transport, cargo transport and medical emergency transport.

Two aircraft will be assembled in Toulouse, France, and converted into tankers in Spain. They will be delivered to NATO in 2020, the statement added. Endit