Belgian Air Force receives first Airbus A400M military transport aircraft

The Belgian Air Force has received the first Airbus A400M, a military transport aircraft designed to carry loads to tactical locations.

Airbus is set to deliver six additional units to the Belgian Air Force.

The customer received the first aircraft at the A400M Final Assembly Line in Seville (Spain). Subsequently, it performed a ferry flight to its base at Melsbroek in Belgium to join the 15th Wing Air Transport.

The A400M fleet at the Belgian base will include a total of eight aircraft, seven from the Belgian Air Force and one from the Luxembourg Armed Forces.

The Luxembourg unit was delivered earlier this year.

Airbus Defence and Space Military Aircraft head Alberto Gutierrez said: “With the delivery of this aircraft all launch customers are now equipped with the A400M. MSN106 will join Luxemburg’s aircraft in the binational unit operated jointly with Belgium.

“Despite challenges due to Covid-19, our teams have achieved all ten aircraft deliveries scheduled this year, bringing the global fleet in operation to 98 aircraft.”

The company is scheduled to deliver the second A400M for Belgium in early next year.

The first aircraft for the Belgian Air Force conducted its maiden flight in August this year at Seville facility.

Capable of carrying payloads of up to 37t, the aircraft can be used to carry paratroopers, heavy vehicles, equipment and other cargo. It has a range of 8,900km.

Operators can use A400M for transporting personnel and goods directly into theatres of operation. It is also capable of undertaking strategic airlift operations and front-line refuelling missions.