Poland plans to acquire several MRTT tanker aircraft manufactured by Airbus in Spain to strengthen its Armed Forces, as announced this Tuesday by Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz.
After meeting with the Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, the Polish official emphasized his Executive's firm decision "not to delay any longer" the purchase of these aircraft, which can refuel in flight, transport up to 300 military personnel, and adapt their cabins for medical evacuation missions. Warsaw will finance the operation through the European Union's SAFE mechanism.
Airbus's factory in Getafe is responsible for converting commercial aircraft into this model of tanker aircraft. Although the minister has not specified the exact quantity, sources familiar with the Polish government's plans point to the acquisition of four units.
According to these same sources, Spain is considering ceding its turn to receive an MRTT to Poland, given that Warsaw has greater urgency. In practice, Madrid would advance the Poles on the delivery list so that they can have one of these aircraft sooner.
Kosiniak-Kamysz expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Defense and the national industry for the support offered, highlighting that Spain acts as an ally committed to collective security.
For her part, Robles emphasized Poland's "urgency" to incorporate MRTT aircraft and reiterated the Ministry of Defense's willingness to collaborate closely with Warsaw to facilitate the operation. "We are going to work together," she insisted. She also stressed that Spain will maintain its commitment to investment in defense and security with the aim of strengthening Europe's strategic autonomy.