Europe’s New Airlifter Ceremonially Welcomed
French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian formally welcomes the first French Air Force A400M at Orleans airbase. (Photo: Chris Pocock)
French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian formally welcomes the first French Air Force A400M at Orleans airbase. (Photo: Chris Pocock)

In ceremonies at the Seville factory and at Orleans in France airbase on September 30, Airbus Military and the French air force celebrated the entry into service of the A400M airlifter. No new aircraft were handed over, but delivery of the second aircraft for France and the first for Turkey will occur by the end of October. The production rate is building toward two per month, so that firm orders for 174 aircraft can be fulfilled. Airbus Military officials again told AIN that no discussions had yet taken place with the pan-European agency OCCAR, on possible reductions to the numbers required by France, Germany and Spain.

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