First wing for future RAF tankers heads to... er... France

The first wing section for the RAF's future fleet of A330-200 tankers has been flown to France from Airbus UK's Broughton plant in North Wales aboard a A300 Beluga. 14 A330-200 tankers will be built by Airbus for the RAF. Well we say RAF, although they will have RAF colours and perform RAF duties the aircraft in of Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) will be procured under a PFI deal and will also be available for commercial duties when the RAF don't need them. Though if we are still in Afghanistan it is unlikely they will have that much free time.