Commentary: Singapore’s A330 tanker-transport plane offer can help in Afghanistan evacuation where every bit counts

They also boast a significant increase in cargo and passenger capacity over the smaller KC-135R, which was limited to 37 tonnes in passengers or cargo.

The RSAF 112 Squadron received its first MRTT in 2018 and achieved full operating capability in April this year.

In addition to being able to refuel the RSAF’s F-15 and F-16 fighter jets along with other RSAF MRTTs in mid-air, the RSAF has also conducted refuelling training with aircraft from friendly nations, including MRTTs from the Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Thai Air Force F-16s.

LIKELY MISSIONS IN AFGHANISTAN

It is not clear what missions the RSAF MRTTs will undertake in the airlift to evacuate Afghans, although they can fly several types likely needed, including flights into the Afghan capital Kabul’s airport to directly evacuate Afghans seeking to leave, transporting Afghans who have already left to locations further afield or acting as tankers refuelling other aircraft.

The first will undoubtedly see the most risk, given the chaos at Kabul airport and the Taliban surrounding its vicinity. Flying at low altitude during landing and take-off also exposes the aircraft to the risk of attacks from small arms and light anti-aircraft weapons.

The MRTTs can be fitted with an aircraft protection suite that includes decoys and jammers for detecting and defeating incoming missiles, although it is unclear if the RSAF’s aircraft have such systems.

This mission is currently being undertaken by specialised military transport aircraft such as the US British, Australian, Qatari and United Arab Emirates Boeing C-17 Globemaster III as well as Airbus A400M from France and Germany.

One of the former set a chilling new record for number of passengers carried on a flight when it supposedly flew 823 Afghans, including 183 children, out of Kabul on Aug 15.