[Greg McDonald]

From ninemsn:

The third of five new RAAF Airbus A330-200 aircraft has arrived in Australia for conversion into an airborne refueller.

It is the second aircraft to be converted by Qantas at its Brisbane heavy maintenance base, which Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science Greg Combet says is good news for the airline and Brisbane.

"The project also demonstrates the ability of the Australian defence industry to engage in complex military aviation projects," he said.

The ability to refuel aircraft in flight provided the Australian Defence Force with enhanced capability by allowing a fixed number of aircraft to remain airborne longer, carry more ordnance or fly further.

"This will help augment our air combat capability by extending the range and endurance of our fighters," he said.

These aircraft, with the same internal passenger capacity as a commercial Airbus A330-200, will also be able to transport up to 270 soldiers and equipment over long distances.

The five aircraft, costing about $1.8 billion, will replace elderly Boeing 707 tanker transports, the last of which was retired a year ago.