First A400M Takes Flight with the Belgian Air Force: A New Era Begins
The Belgian Air Force proudly announced the arrival of its first Airbus A400M military transport aircraft, marking a significant milestone in military aviation. This delivery took place at the A400M Final Assembly Line in Seville, Spain, followed by a successful ferry flight to the 15th Wing Air Transport in Melsbroek, Belgium, where the aircraft will be permanently stationed.
This particular A400M, identified as MSN106, will serve within a cooperative international unit comprising a total of eight aircraft: seven operated by the Belgian Air Force and one by the Luxembourg Armed Forces.
The subsequent A400M for Belgium is slated for delivery in early 2021, further bolstering the capabilities of the Belgian military.
Alberto Gutierrez, Head of Military Aircraft at Airbus Defence and Space, emphasized the significance of this milestone: “The delivery of this aircraft completes the supply to all launch customers of the A400M. MSN106 will enhance the joint operations with Luxembourg, solidifying the collaborative efforts between the two nations. Our teams have successfully achieved all scheduled deliveries for this year, increasing the total operational global fleet to 98 aircraft, despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.”
