04. April 2014

First Turkish A400M delivery

The A400M MSN9 (Manufacturer Serial Number 9) has been delivered to Turkey on 4 April 2014 as their first A400M aircraft. The transfer of title was signed by Turkey, Airbus Defence and Space and OCCAR-EA. The delivery to the second A400M Participating State marks a further important milestone of the aircraft’s entry into service. 

After a series of flights scheduled in Seville, the aircraft was flown by the Turkish Air Force to the Central-Anatolian Kayseri Air Base, becoming part of the Turkish Air Force operational transport fleet. Ten aircraft have been ordered in total by Turkey and the last aircraft will be delivered in 2018.

MSN9 - The first Turkish A400M

OCCAR-EA had awarded the combined A400M development and production contract in 2003, acting on behalf of Programme Participating States Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom. For MSN9 delivery, the OCCAR-EA A400M Programme Division was especially involved in the preparation of the Initial In-Service Support and in the acceptance process, particularly the OCCAR-EA A400M office in Seville. Airbus Defence and Space will assist the Turkish Air Force by providing technical and maintenance support via an industrial team being located in the Main Operational Base in Turkey.

This latest delivery enables the second user to operate the A400M military transport aircraft and will increase the in-service experience in the different Participating States, following the delivery of aircraft MSN7 and MSN8 to the French Air Force.

Representatives from the Turkish Air Force, SSM (Turkish Undersecretariat for Defence Industries), OCCAR-EA and Airbus Defence & Space after arrival of MSN9 on 17 April 2014 at Kayseri Airbase, the Main Operating Base for the A400M in Turkey