Indonesia’s First Airbus A400M Transport Aircraft Performs Maiden Flight

Indonesia’s Minister of Defense, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, joined the first test flight of the Air Force’s newly delivered Airbus A400M during a mission from Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in Jakarta to Aceh on Sunday, November 16.

Senior journalists were also on board the aircraft, which has now entered service as the Air Force’s heavy transport platform.

“Airbus can be used for troop drop operations with a capacity of 112 paratroopers. Furthermore, this aircraft can be used to evacuate passengers requiring special care and needing to be moved from one location to another,” Sjafrie said.

He added that the aircraft can support logistics drops for humanitarian operations, particularly in disaster-hit regions with limited runway access. “This aircraft not only supports ground troop readiness but also serves as the backbone of mobilization and logistical support in humanitarian operations. Going forward, our force development will align ground troop readiness with air fleet readiness, supporting troop deployments to various regions,” he said.

The flight followed the formal delivery of Indonesia’s first A400M on 3 November 2025 at Halim Air Force Base, after handover from the Airbus facility in Seville, Spain. It is the first of two aircraft ordered in 2021; the second is expected in 2026. Airbus will also provide training and support services to aid entry into service.

Indonesia is studying the integration of the A400M’s modular firefighting kit, which can convert the aircraft into a water bomber capable of dropping up to 20,000 liters of water or retardant.

Configured for cargo, troop transport, medical evacuation, and humanitarian missions, the A400M can carry up to 37 tons of equipment, including vehicles, helicopters, and relief supplies. With a 30-tonne payload, it can fly 2,400 nautical miles, covering the archipelago from Jakarta. It can operate on short or unpaved runways and can serve as a multi-role aerial refueling platform.