The Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) has formally inducted into service the Airbus Military A330 MRTT new generation tanker/transport aircraft.

Deputy Minister of Defense Prince Khaled bin Sultan dedicated the aircraft at a ceremony at Riyadh Airbase on 25 February.

The aircraft is the first of a batch of three that have now been contractually delivered.

Deliveries of a second batch of three which were subsequently ordered will begin at the end of 2014. They will be used to refuel RSAF fighters including the F-15, Typhoon and Tornado.

A330 MRTTs have now been delivered to all four current customers – Australia, Saudi Arabia, UAE and UK.