First Luftwaffe A400M on the assembly line

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With a pair of A400Ms delivered to France’s Armee De L’Air and one known mission successfully completed, the German Luftwaffe is next in line for the new generation military airlifter.

Airbus Defence and Space A400M final assembly line in Seville this week started work on the first A400M for the German air Force.

The arrival of the fuselage for the aircraft – MSN18 – means all major structures for the first of 53 A400Ms for Germany is now being assembled in Spain.

Delivery of the Luftwaffe’s first A400M is set for November this year.

In December the second of the French A400Ms, now known as Atlas, became the first of type to perform an operational flight, delivering 22 tons of supplies in support of France’s Operation Serval in Mali.

The aircraft flew out of Orleans air base in December 29 on a close to seven hour mission that also involved taking French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to Mali as well as Chad and Niger.

The SA Air Force (SAAF) would have acquired nine A400Ms in total for entering the manufacturing programme as a risk-taking partner. Former Defence and Military Veterans Minister Lindiwe Sisulu pulled South Africa out of the programme, citing unacceptable delays as the reason. The cancellation of the South African order happened some six weeks before the aircraft’s maiden flight. This, industry insiders said, “was an inconsequential delay especially considering the air force will keep aircraft like the A400M in service for 30 to 40 years”.

While the door appears to be currently closed as far as South Africa acquiring the new generation airlifter, the possibility exists for government to government negotiations to re-open the way. This in the light of both Germany and Spain having indicated they will not be taking the original quota of A400Ms ordered.

The SAAF is said to be investigating acquisition options for airlift, including the Il-76, while both Boeing and Lockheed Martin are known to be in contact with the air force as regards replacement aircraft for the ageing C-130BZs.