17. November 2014

A400M enters service with the UK

The first Airbus A400M new generation airlifter ordered by the Royal Air Force has been delivered by OCCAR-EA to the UK on Monday 17th November, marking a key milestone for the A400M Programme. UK therefore becomes the third nation, after France and Turkey, to bring the A400M into service. The aircraft will be operated from its home base in Brize Norton, where its tactical and strategic capability will be a key contributor to Air Transport in the RAF.

OCCAR-EA has also negotiated and signed a contract with Airbus Defense and Space, implementing the integrated support solution that will enable the operations of initial UK A400M deliveries. The contract was prepared in co-operation with France and will support the operation of both British and French A400M aircraft in a collaborative manner, realising the benefits of spare pooling and cost sharing between the two Nations. This contract also paves the way for a future global support solution that OCCAR-EA is currently preparing for the Programme, on behalf of all six Participating Nations.

The aircraft is the first of 22 ordered by the UK and will bring the In Service fleet of A400M aircraft to seven, five aircraft being already delivered to France and one to Turkey. Production is ramping up in the Final Assembly Line in Seville and the delivery of the first German aircraft is expected later this year.