The first A400M earmarked for the Luftwaffe (MSN0018) is seen en route to Manching, Germany, on 18 December 2014 for its handover to Erprobungsstelle 61 der Bundeswehr für Luftfahrt-Geräte, the German Defence Air Test Centre. ©Airbus / P. Pigeyre
In Seville, on 18 December 2014, Airbus Defence and Space has formally delivered the first Airbus A400M military transport ordered by Germany for the Luftwaffe: MSN0018. A total of nine aircraft have now been delivered and the aircraft is in service with four different nations; France, Germany, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
The Bundeswehr accepted the aircraft at the A400M Final Assembly Line in Seville, Spain. Bernhard Gerwert, CEO Airbus Defence and Space, said: “We are extremely proud to hand over the first A400M to Germany. The A400M will play a critical role in the modernisation of Germany’s air mobility force. The unique combination of strategic and tactical capabilities, allied to a level of reliability greater than that of the previous generation aircraft that it is replacing, will transform the German Air Force’s transport operations in the coming years.” The A400M will replace the C-160 Transall.
