The tanker deal is not just a competition won; it is a decision that shifts the balance. Behind the purchase of the new Airbus A330 MRTT lies a shift in the centre of gravity of Italy’s air defence, which is now looking increasingly to Europe within the NATO framework, leaving behind the US option linked to the Boeing KC-46.
In this context, Italy has formalised the acquisition of six Airbus A330 MRTT tanker aircraft, in a deal with a total value of around 1.39 billion euro, including long-term logistic support. The news emerges from publication on the European TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) portal on 19 May 2026 and confirms that the contract was signed on 16 April by ARMAERO.
The decision closes a process launched in 2022 that went through cancellations, tenders without valid bids and changes in the industrial landscape, before finally settling on a European solution that has now become the standard among several NATO countries.
From the Boeing KC-46 to a return to Airbus: a geopolitical choice
The path that led to the final decision was complex and marked by several changes of course. Initially, in 2022, Italy had selected the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus as the platform to replace and complement the current KC-767A refuelling fleet.
