France has taken delivery of its 11th and penultimate example of the A330 multi-role tanker transport from Airbus Defence & Space.
Formally transferred via France’s DGA defence procurement agency during the Paris air show – where it appeared in the static display – the latest “Phenix” followed a 10th example which had been handed over in mid-May.
The nation’s air force will take its final Phenix before year-end, the DGA says.
The type was ordered as a replacement for the French air force’s previous Boeing KC-135 tankers, plus A310s and A340s employed for personnel and equipment transport duties.
Craig Hoyle joined Flight International in 2003, and has edited the now monthly title since 2015. He has reported on the UK, European and international military aviation sector for more than 25 years, and produces our annual World Air Forces directory.View full Profile
