TR Air Forces|News & Discussion

[mehmed beg]

Or maybe all of this saga is to milk as much money as possible? Nevertheless, quantity is quality in its own right.

 

[Strong AI]

Still don't know what that retrofit entails.

9’uncu A400M retrofiti Kayseri’de tamamlandı – Tolga Özbek

tolgaozbek.com

9th A400M retrofit completed in Kayseri

According to information provided by the Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (Ministry of National Defense), the retrofit work on the 9th A400M aircraft — carried out by the 2nd Air Maintenance Factory Directorate under ASFAT — has been completed, and the aircraft was delivered to the Air Force on 21 November.

Currently, there are 10 A400M-type military transport aircraft in the inventory of the Türk Hava Kuvvetleri (Turkish Air Force).

Why retrofit is being done​

“Retrofit” means integrating new technologies into existing aircraft, updating systems, and increasing performance.

For A400Ms, this process began under a contract signed in 2019 between Airbus and ASFAT.

• Capability upgrade and operational effectiveness: Early-delivered A400Ms are brought up to the standard level of the last aircraft under the program. This modernization includes avionics, software, and structural components.
• For example, the upgrades add features such as simultaneous parachute jumps from paratrooper doors, autopilot use at low altitude, increased cargo-hold storage capacity, and capacity for the ceiling crane to operate at maximum load.

These improvements increase the aircraft’s efficiency for tactical and strategic missions — from humanitarian operations and evacuations to military missions and disaster relief.

• Safety and protection against threats: Especially due to Turkey’s geographic position, national systems such as the DIRCM (Directed Infrared Countermeasures) system are integrated into the aircraft. This system protects against MANPADS (shoulder-launched missiles).
• Retrofit also fixes structural issues identified in early Airbus models (e.g. cracks in alloy components), thereby extending the fleet’s service life.
• Economic and strategic benefits: Retrofit reduces dependency on foreign maintenance services and saves foreign currency. The upgrade — which worldwide is done in only 4 centers (including Airbus facilities in Spain and Germany) — is carried out in Turkey, adding economic value domestically.

Agreement with Airbus signed in 2024​

With a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between ASFAT and Airbus in 2024, Kayseri has gained the potential to offer retrofit services to other A400M-using countries (France, Germany, the UK etc.).

These efforts pave the way for future upgrades — for example raising the A400M’s load capacity from 37 tons to 40 tons. Ultimately, retrofit is not just maintenance, but a way to prepare the aircraft for new-generation missions (electronic warfare, UAV carrier, firefighting) as well.

Kayseri is the only center outside Europe where A400M retrofit is performed. The 2nd Air Maintenance Factory Directorate — part of the 12th Air Transport Main Base Command — under ASFAT conducts these operations.