DefenseAirbus delivers 25th A400M to France as it works to keep program viable
Airbus has delivered the 25th A400M military transport aircraft to the French Air and Space Force, reaching the halfway point of France’s order while the manufacturer continues efforts to sustain the program.
The aircraft, manufacturer serial number MSN142, has joined the French fleet at Air Base 123 Orléans Bricy. France has 50 A400Ms on order, making it the second-largest customer for the turboprop military airlifter.
The delivery comes as the A400M program remains under pressure from a lack of new orders. Airbus has logged 178 aircraft sold, with the bulk coming from partner nations. Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Spain account for 152 aircraft, led by Germany with 53 orders, followed by France with 50, Spain with 27 and the United Kingdom with 22.
So far, 137 A400Ms have been delivered to 10 countries. Indonesia has two aircraft on order and took delivery of the first one in 2025.
In an effort to keep the production line active, Airbus and OCCAR agreed to extend A400M manufacturing until 2029. Under the arrangement, annual output is expected to be limited to eight aircraft, either for partner countries — Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, Turkey, Luxembourg and the United Kingdom — or for export customers.
To underpin activity at the Seville final assembly line, France and Spain committed to take delivery of four and three aircraft, respectively, in the first year of the revised production plan.
Airbus has also received approval to pursue upgrades aimed at improving the aircraft’s appeal. These include increasing maximum payload from 37 to 40 tonnes and seeking efficiencies in maintenance. The manufacturer is also studying additional roles for the A400M, such as acting as a carrier for remote aircraft systems and performing aerial firefighting missions.
Potential export opportunities under consideration include Saudi Arabia, which has been linked to a requirement of up to 20 aircraft, and the United Arab Emirates, where the air force is evaluating replacements for ageing C-130 transports with a possible fleet of eight to ten new aircraft.
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