The A400M (formerly known as the future large aircraft) is a military transporter designed to meet the requirements of the Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, Turkey, Luxembourg and UK air forces.
“The A400M military transporter is designed to meet the requirements of the air forces of Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, Turkey and the UK.”
A European staff target was drawn up in 1993, together with a memorandum of understanding signed by the governments of the seven nations. Italy subsequently withdrew from the programme.
Airbus Military SL of Madrid, a subsidiary of Airbus Industrie, is responsible for the management of the A400M programme.
Other companies with a share in the programme include BAE Systems (UK), EADS (Germany, France and Spain), Flabel (Belgium) and Tusas Aerospace Industries (Turkey). Final assembly took place in Seville, Spain.
A400M future large aircraft programme
In May 2003, a development and production contract was signed between Airbus and European procurement agency OCCAR for 212 aircraft. France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, Turkey, Belgium, and Luxembourg initially signed but Italy subsequently withdrew. The order was consequently reduced to 180 aircraft with deliveries starting in 2009. These will continue until 2020.
First metal cut for the airframe of the A400M took place in January 2005 and assembly began in 2007. The first flight was scheduled for early 2008; however, this was delayed by engine development problems. The first A400M aircraft was officially rolled out in June 2008 and the long-awaited maiden flight took place on 11 December 2009.
A400M operators As of 31 January 2020
Date | Country | Orders | Deliveries | Entry into service date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
27 May 2003 |
| 53 | 32[2] | December 2014[119] | Order reduced from 60 to 53 (plus 7 options),[120] and will try to integrate 13 into an international transport alliance.[121] |
| 50 | 16[2] | August 2013[122] | ||
| 27 | 7[2] | November 2016[123] | Original budget of €3,453M increased to €5,493M in 2010.[124] Delivery of 13 aircraft has been delayed until 2025–2030.[125] | |
| 22 | 20[2] | November 2014[126] | Order reduced from 25 to "at least 22".[127] | |
| 10 | 9[2] | April 2014[128] | ||
| 7[2] | 0 | Expected 2020[129] | ||
| 1[2] | 0 | Expected 2020 | To be stationed in Belgium as a part of a bi-national fleet.[130] | |
8 December 2005 |
| 4 | 4[2] | March 2015[131] | First non-NATO country to purchase the A400M. Final A |