The Indonesian Air Force’s first Airbus A400M military transport aircraft successfully completed its maiden flight, marking an important step towards the aircraft’s delivery later this year.
The aircraft took off from Airbus Defence and Space facilities in Seville, Spain, where it was manufactured at the Final Assembly Line (FAL); the plane also underwent ground testing.
During the flight, the first Indonesian A400M performed a range of manoeuvres to validate the aircraft’s handling and evaluate key systems.
The test profile included successful checks of the engines, flight controls, hydraulics, and avionics.
A significant addition to the fleet
Indonesia signed a contract for two Airbus A400Ms in 2021, becoming the 10th nation to join the A400M programme.
The A400M delivers strategic lift to long distances: up to 2,400 nautical miles with a payload of 30 tonnes, covering the whole of Indonesia from Jakarta.
Likewise, it can operate on short and unpaved runways which is crucial for disaster relief whilst serving as a versatile refueling platform for various aircraft, being a force multiplier and ensuring operational continuity.
The successful first flight of the first aircraft brings the country one step closer in the development of its strategic airlift capability.
Construction on the country’s second A400M at the FAL is currently in progress, with the aircraft undergoing fuel system testing prior to its move to the paintshop.
Painting will be followed by ground tests and a mandatory test flight in the lead-up to its delivery.
