01. December 2016

First Spanish A400M enters into service

On the 16th of November 2016 OCCAR signed the Aircraft Transfer of Title (ToT) for MSN44 (Manufacturer Serial Number 44) signifying the 1st A400M delivery for Spain, out of a total fleet of 27 Aircraft, and the achievement of Spanish Entry Into Service (EIS). The keys to the aircraft were formally handed over to Colonel Julio CREGO-LOURIDO of the Spanish Air Force.

The official reception ceremony for the 1st Spanish A400M was held by the Spanish Minister of Defence, Mrs. María DOLORES DE COSPEDAL, on Thursday the 1st December in Sevilla. "The delivery of this first A400M aircraft marks a milestone in the history of our Armed Forces", the Minister said.

image of the occicial reception ceremony

Official reception ceremony on 1 December 2016 in front of the aircraft
(From left: Martin Heltzel, Aircraft Acceptance Section Leader, OCCAR A400M Programme Division; María Dolores de Cospedal, Spanish Minister of Defence; Fernando Alonso, Executive Vice President Military Aircraft, Airbus Defence & Space; Air General F. Javier García Arnaiz, Chief of Staff of the Spanish Air Force

The aircraft will be operated by the Air Transport Wing (ATW) 31 of the Spanish Air Force based at Zaragoza Air Base. Air Transport Wing 31 was established in September 1978 and accomplishes Strategic (international, mission theatre) Transport as well as Tactical Transport (within the mission theatre) all of which include the following types of activities:

Deployment of Air Force units;
Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR);
Air logistic support;
Airborne operations;
Unconventional warfare;
Medical evacuation flights;
SAR support and
Humanitarian aid missions.

image of the first spanish a400m in flight

The A400M fleet will provide key logistics and tactical capabilities for Spain to meet its future commitments.

Spain now becomes the 5th OCCAR programme Participating State to operate the A400M aircraft along with France, Germany, Turkey and the UK. Malaysia is also an A400M user nation but does not participate in the OCCAR A400M Programme.

1st Spanish A400M in flight. (Copyright: Airbus Defence & Space)