Aircraft
Airbus Stabilizes A400M Production
Airbus Defence and Space outlines its product line progress
Airbus A400M
Production of the Airbus A400M airlifter is set at eight per year until 2029. Airbus also continues to add capabilties to the airplane, including firefighting and standoff jamming. © David McIntosh/AIN

Airbus and NATO procurement agency OCCAR have signed an agreement that will see production of the A400M airlifter secured for the foreseeable future, as well as the joint development of additional capabilities and efforts to lower operating costs. Until 2029, production will be stabilized at an optimum rate of eight aircraft per year, achieved by bringing forward build slots for four aircraft for France and three for Spain.

Meanwhile, Airbus continues to develop the A400M and add new capabilities, including firefighting and the use of the aircraft for standoff jamming. It is also being proposed as a mothership for remote carriers of varying sizes. In this role, the A400M could release swarms of uncrewed air systems and then control them from onboard.

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