Recently, the first ever contact between an Airbus A330 MRTT tanker aircraft from the MMF (Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport Fleet) programme and a Czech JAS-39 Gripen supersonic aircraft from the 21st Tactical Air Force Base in Čáslav took place via the POD (hose-basket) system in the area over the Krkonoše Mountains.

Video: Czech gripen pilots practiced in-flight refuelling from an Airbus A330 MRTT / YouTube

Considering the fact that this was the very first contact with the tanker operationally referred to as KC-30M, which is also the largest aircraft that the pilots from Čáslav have come into contact with so far, they had to demonstrate proper connectivity. The first step was the so-called "dry contact", i.e. contact without refuelling. 

This first contact was excellent and the pilots demonstrated their ability to AAR - in-flight refuelling. Subsequently, on 27 February 2024, follow-up training in the AAR procedure took place again in the airspace of the Czech Republic. Further training is then planned for the whole year 2024 with the aim of training as many Czech pilots as possible and deepening their ability to successfully and quickly join the refuelling basket of the refuelling aircraft.

The IMF project, which involves five other EU countries (Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Norway) in addition to the Czech Republic (which has been part of it since 2019), aims to build a multinational multi-purpose squadron with eight Airbus A-330 MRTTs to supplement the missing capacity and evacuate the wounded if necessary.

Thanks to its membership in this project, the Czech Republic can use 100 flight hours per year for cargo, passenger and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) in addition to in-flight refuelling. The Airbus A330 MRTT aircraft can carry 266 passengers and 45 tonnes of palletised cargo. For in-flight refuelling, the aircraft is capable of carrying 111 tonnes of fuel.

The tanker fleet operates from a main base in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, and a forward base in Cologne.