Airbus Defence and Space has formally delivered the first A400M aircraft ordered by the Indonesia Ministry of Defence.
The delivery marks a major milestone in the country's efforts to modernise its military transport capabilities.
The heavy tactical airlift will be operated by the Indonesian Air Force for emergency situations, particularly wildfires in remote areas.
The delivery ceremony took place at the Halim Air Force Base in Jakarta, following the handing over of the aircraft at the Airbus facility in Seville, Spain.
This is the first out of two A400M aircraft ordered by Indonesia in 2021, and the second A400M is expected to be delivered in 2026.
A welcome addition
Airbus Defence and Space’s head of international Karl-Heinz Grossman pointed out that, officially, Indonesia is the 10th operator of the A400M.
Grossman said:“This delivery is a strong demonstration of the trust placed in the aircraft’s multi-role capabilities and suitability for operations in diverse and challenging environments such as the country’s geographic complexity. We look forward to supporting the Indonesian Air Force as it begins operating the A400M for national and regional missions.”
Additionally, Airbus will provide the Indonesian Air Force with comprehensive training and support services to ensure a smooth entry into service.
In the context of this A400M delivery, Indonesia will study the potential integration of the newly developed A400M firefighting kit on-board both aircraft.
What the A400M can do
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 refueling platform, acting as a force multiplier that extends the reach of the Indonesian Air Force.
