Malaysian Fourth A400 Handed Over At LIMA 2017

Malaysian Minister of Defence took the official delivery of Royal Malaysian Air Force’s fourth Airbus A400M on the second day of Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace (LIMA) Exhibition 2017.

Hishammuddin Onn, Minister of Defence of Malaysia, took delivery of the fourth Airbus A400M military transport aircraft today on behalf of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), Airbus said in a statement Wednesday.

Malaysia is the A400M’s first export customer outside of the original European launch nations. Malaysian deputy Defense Minister DS Johari Baharom signed an acceptance document marking the clearance to embark the ferry flight to Subang on March 12. M54-04 was supposed to be delivered in late 2016 but it was delayed following problems affecting the A400M program.

The RMAF previously received its first of four A400M military transport aircraft on March 17, 2015 during the Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace (LIMA) 2015. The second one on January 13, last year. The third and fourth aircraft were to arrive in April and November to be operated by RMAF's 22 Squadron.

Fernando Alonso, Head of Military Aircraft, Airbus Defence and Space, gave a plaque to the Minister to symbolize the official handover of the aircraft.

“With this delivery, the RMAF now has a fleet of four aircraft, and can start to fully benefit from the A400M’s unique capabilities. We look forward to seeing the aircraft in action in the region, and will provide our full support as the RMAF expands its use of the A400M,” said Fernando Alonso.

The occasion also saw the RMAF’s No 22 Squadron commemorate the completion of 2,000 flight hours on the A400M. To mark this milestone, Fernando Alonso presented a plaque to the Chief of Air Force and the Commanding Officer of No 22 Squadron, Colonel Masro Kaliwon RMAF.

Three RMAF A400Ms performed a special fly-past at opening ceremony of LIMA 2017. One RMAF A400M is on static display throughout the show from March 21-25, 2017.