Kazakhstan welcomes its first A400M
The second aircraft is scheduled for delivery in 2026. (Photo: Airbus)
The A400M was handed over at a ceremony in Almaty, after a flight from Airbus’ A400M Final Assembly Line in Seville, Spain.
Kazakhstan has received the first of two A400M aircraft, Airbus has announced.
The country placed an order for two A400Ms in September 2021. Deliveries were expected to be made around 2024-2025. The aircraft will be integrated into Kazakhstan’s fleet alongside the C295 aircraft currently in service in the Air Force.
Jean-Brice Dumont, head of air power at Airbus Defence and Space, said: “The A400M is a game changer for the Kazakh Air Defense Forces, delivering unrivalled tactical and strategic capabilities in a single platform.”
Related Articles
Kazakhstan adds two more A400Ms
Airbus confident of closing new A400M export orders after Kazakhstan breakthrough
Dumont added that the second A400M was “currently in production” and would be delivered in 2026. Airbus will also reportedly provide full maintenance and training support for the aircraft for the Kazakh Air Defense Force.
At the time of the order, Michael Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, said that the aircraft would “become the cornerstone of Kazakhstan’s tactical and strategic airlifting operations”.
Airbus has previously stated that it expects Kazakhstan to place further orders for the platform in the future.
The aircraft has been chosen by ten different countries, with 178 orders placed in total. The A400M combines tactical and logistic mission capabilities, with a maximum payload of up to 37 tonnes and a cargo hold designed to carry outsize equipment needed for civil and military missions. It completed its 25t airdrop certification in August 2024, according to Airbus.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![US approves possible $1.96 billion MQ-9B drone sale for Qatar]()
US approves possible $1.96 billion MQ-9B drone sale for Qatar
Qatar moves one step closer towards acquiring the MQ-9B SkyGuardian, as the Trump administration shows a renewed interest selling the platforms to countries in the Middle East.
-
![Avalon 2025: Anduril looks to build solid rocket motors in Australia and plans to fire up Fury]()
Avalon 2025: Anduril looks to build solid rocket motors in Australia and plans to fire up Fury
Anduril is in the running for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) requirement with its large Fury unmanned aerial system (UAS) but the solid rocket motor (SRM) maker sees a big opportunity in Australia’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) plans.
-
![Avalon 2025: Innovaero unveils loitering munitions and makes case for involvement in guided weapons programme]()
Avalon 2025: Innovaero unveils loitering munitions and makes case for involvement in guided weapons programme
Innovaero has had local success with its One-Way Loitering (OWL) electric-powered kamikaze drone which is believed to be in service with the Australian Army. The company, however, is eyeing potential involvement in the Australian Government’s Guided Weapon Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) plan to push local industry.
-
![British Army to explore CUAS options to combat Class 1 drones]()
British Army to explore CUAS options to combat Class 1 drones
Named Project Vanaheim, the joint project will be run by the British and US armies and is the ‘first wave’ in a substantial programme of work to update both armed forces’ CUAS capabilities.
