Initial Batch of 14 to be Delivered by 2022
Making it the sixth nation to take the Airbus Defence & Space A400M airlifter into service, representatives of the Spanish Air Force and Ministry of Defence formally accepted the first A400M tactical airlifter in a ceremony at the final assembly line in Seville on 17 November.
The aircraft (MSN44), which will serve at the Zaragoza air base, is the first of 27 A400Ms Spain has on order. The A400M will transform the nation’s air mobility fleet, according to Airbus. It will replace the ageing C-130 HERCULES fleet, carrying twice the load over the same distance or the same load twice as far and also providing a tactical air-to-air refuelling capability.
Earlier this year the Spanish Ministry of Defence and Airbus agreed to a delivery pace that will see 14 aircraft delivered between now and 2022, with the remaining 13 to be delivered from 2025.
The delivery marks the 34th aircraft (of a total of 174 on order) delivered by Airbus.