Airbus delivers first A400M to Indonesia

Airbus Defence and Space has delivered the first A400M aircraft to Indonesia’s Ministry of Defence, with the heavy tactical airlifter to be operated by the Indonesian Air Force.

According to Airbus, this delivery marks the first of two A400M aircraft ordered by Indonesia in 2021, with the second unit scheduled for delivery in 2026.

The handover ceremony took place at Halim Air Force Base in Jakarta, following the official transfer of the aircraft at Airbus’s facility in Seville, Spain.

As part of the agreement, Airbus will also provide the Indonesian Air Force with comprehensive training and support services to ensure a seamless entry into service.

Indonesia will also explore integrating Airbus’s new A400M firefighting kit on both aircraft. The roll-on/roll-off modular system allows the A400M to be rapidly converted into a water bomber capable of dropping up to 20,000 litres of water or retardant in one pass, strengthening Indonesia’s wildfire response across its vast and remote regions.

The delivered A400M is configured for cargo and troop transport, medical evacuation, and humanitarian missions. It can carry up to 37 tonnes of payload, including helicopters, vehicles, and relief supplies, and fly 2,400 nautical miles with a 30-tonne load—covering the entire Indonesian archipelago.

Built for flexibility, it can operate from short, unpaved runways and serve as a multi-role aerial refuelling aircraft, extending the operational reach of the Indonesian Air Force.