A400M

The French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) has taken delivery of the fifth A400M Atlas military transport aircraft from Airbus Defence and Space.

Designated as MSN12, the aircraft will be operated by the French Air Force, and joins the existing four A400Ms at Orleans-Bricy air base, located south-west of Paris, France.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

The aircraft represents the sixth production A400M to be delivered to any customer, out of the 170 ordered by the programme’s seven partner countries, including Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, Luxembourg, Turkey and the UK, in May 2003.

In addition to this, Malaysia placed orders for four aircraft in December 2005, becoming the only non-European customer of A400M.

The first four A400Ms were delivered to France, which had ordered 50 aircraft, while the Turkish Air Force received the fifth aircraft.

"The A400M is a multi-national military transport aircraft designed to serve as a tactical airlifter with strategic capabilities."

Dubbed Atlas in French service, the A400M is a multi-national military transport aircraft designed to serve as a tactical airlifter with strategic capabilities.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

With a lifting capacity of up to 30t, the next-generation airlifter can also be configured to conduct long-range, inter and intra-theatre cargo and troop transport, medical evacuation, aerial refuelling and electronic surveillance missions.

The four EuroProp TP400-D6 turboprop engine-powered aircraft also features a six-wheel, high-flotation main landing gear, and short, soft, field landing and take-off capability, which is claimed to enable troop and equipment transportation to Mali or Afghanistan.

Deliveries of remaining A400M airlifters to the French Air Force are expected to be completed by 2025.

Image Link: The French Air Force’s first A400M next-generation military airlifter in flight. Photo: © A. Doumenjou.

Defence Technology