Airbus has received a contract to continue in-service support for the German Air Force’s A400M Atlas transport aircraft.
Under the agreement, the company will extend the fleet’s related sustainment and enhancement efforts for another seven and a half years.
The initial in-service support contract was signed in December 2014.
“This contract extension shows a long-term commitment of the German government to the A400M,” Airbus Defence and Space Military Air Systems Head Jean-Brice Dumont stated.
“Together with the customer, we have made big strides in recent years to improve availability as well as the operational capabilities of the A400M, which has become an indispensable asset in Germany’s air force inventory.”
“This contract allows us to deepen our fruitful cooperation which, I believe, can serve as a role model of how industry and customers can work together successfully.”
Germany’s Growing Atlas Fleet
Airbus’ ongoing industrial technical support provides services for the German A400M fleet through the company’s Wunstorf Air Base facility and the Centres of Competence in Getafe, Spain.
Work includes full coverage of scheduled maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) at Airbus’ Manching site in Munich and Hannover Airport.
Under the contract, a new A400M maintenance facility will be established near the Wunstorf Air Base in Hannover.
This area will also provide MRO services and begin operations in 2027. Approximately 300 personnel will work with suppliers and customer representatives at the site.
The German government is the largest A400M customer. The country’s armed forces operate 40 A400M platforms out of 53 units on order.
The fleet’s primary deployment is in Wunstorf, managed by the German Air Force’s Air Transport Wing 62.
Recent A400M Projects
Earlier this year, the UK Royal Air Force received its 22nd and final A400M from Airbus.
In 2022, Germany completed the first successful flight of a Remote Carrier demonstrator from an A400M aircraft.
Airbus also experimented with deploying an A400M using sustainable aviation fuel in Spain the same year.