Indonesia Receives Second Airbus A400M

AIRBUS Defence and Space has delivered Indonesia’s second A400M airlifter, completing the contract to modernise the Indonesian Air Force’s (TNI-AU) transport capabilities.

Airbus delivered the first A400M last November, making this unit the last of two A400M aircraft ordered by Indonesia in 2021 unless Indonesia exercises its option for potentially four more units.

Additionally, Airbus will provide the TNI-AU with comprehensive training and support services to ensure a smooth entry into service. Indonesia will also study the potential integration of the newly developed A400M firefighting kit on-board both aircraft.

The roll-on / roll-off modular firefighting kit allows the A400M to be rapidly converted into a water bomber aircraft, capable of dropping up to 20,000 litres of retardant or water in a single pass. This new capability will significantly bolster Indonesia’s ability to respond to wildfires across its widespread and often hard-to-reach terrain. 

The A400M delivered to Indonesia is configured for cargo, troop transport, MEDEVAC, and humanitarian missions. It can carry a maximum payload of up to 37 tonnes of heavy or oversized loads, including helicopters, vehicles, and relief supplies. For an average mission carrying 30 tonnes, the A400M can fly 2,400 nautical miles, covering the entire archipelago from Jakarta.  Designed for operational flexibility, it can operate on short, unpaved runways and also serves as a multi-role aerial refuelling platform, acting as a force multiplier that extends the reach of the TNI-AU.

Indonesia is the second operator of the A400M in Southeast Asia after Malaysia began operations with a fleet of four A400Ms since 2015 . The A400M has been delivered to 10 countries prior to Indonesia’s receipt of the A400M, including Kazakhstan and has accumulated more than 200,000 flight hours and carrying out various missions including humanitarian assistance.–-shp/adj/dl (Pix:AIRBUS)