Auckland, November 22 - The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) has officially selected the Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) to replace its two ageing Boeing 757-200 aircraft, marking a significant upgrade for New Zealand’s strategic airlift and aerial refuelling capabilities. Announced in late 2025 by Defence Minister Judith Collins, the decision ends years of speculation and confirms that four new-generation A330 MRTTs will enter service from 2030, progressively replacing the 1980s-era 757s currently operated by No. 40 Squadron at RNZAF Base Auckland.
The Boeing 757s, acquired second-hand from Transavia in 2003, have served New Zealand well for over two decades, supporting everything from VIP transport for the Governor-General and Prime Minister to humanitarian missions across the Pacific and deployments to Antarctica and the Middle East. However, rising maintenance costs, decreasing parts availability, and the aircraft’s limited range and payload compared to modern equivalents made replacement urgent. The twin-engine 757s will reach the end of their viable service life around 2030, prompting the government’s Strategic Air Mobility Capability project launched in 2023.
The Airbus A330 MRTT was chosen after an extensive international tender process that also evaluated the Boeing 777-200LR and second-hand options. Key advantages include a substantially larger payload (up to 45 tonnes more than the 757), longer unrefuelled range exceeding 12,000 km, and proven in-flight refuelling capability using both boom and hose-and-drogue systems. The aircraft will enable the RNZAF to support allied air forces, particularly Australia’s F-35A, RAAF KC-30A, and P-8A fleets, while retaining full passenger and cargo flexibility for disaster relief and peacekeeping operations. The first two aircraft will be delivered in tanker configuration, with the final pair optimised for VIP and strategic transport.
The total programme cost remains commercially sensitive, though the government has emphasised value for money and extensive New Zealand industry participation. Local maintenance and future upgrades will be conducted at Safe Air in Blenheim and other domestic facilities, preserving high-skill aerospace jobs. Delivery of the first A330 MRTT is scheduled for 2030, with full operational capability expected by 2033. This acquisition ensures New Zealand retains independent strategic reach well into the 2060s and strengthens interoperability with Five Eyes and Pacific partners for decades to come.