Kazakhstan signs for A400M airlifters

Kazakhstan has signed for two Airbus A400M Atlas transport aircraft, becoming the type’s first export customer since 2005.

The manufacturer announced an order by the central Asian nation for two airlifters on 1 September, marking perhaps the largest milestone for the multinational programme since Malaysia joined in 2005. Deliveries will begin in 2024.

“The A400M will become the cornerstone of Kazakhstan’s tactical and strategic airlifting operations,” Michael Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, was quoted as saying, with the manufacturer noting the airlifter’s ability to accommodate the country’s inventory and military, civil, and humanitarian mission requirements.

In Kazakhstan Air Defence Forces (KADF) service, the A400M will operate alongside the Airbus DS C295, as well Soviet-era Antonov An-12BP ‘Cub’ (to be replaced by the C295), An-24 ‘Coke’, An-26 ‘Curl’, An-72 ‘Coaler’, and An-2 ‘Colt’ aircraft.

Kazakhstan has been earmarked as a potential A400M customer since demonstrations were flown in the country in 2014. In securing the nation’s signature, Airbus now has a total order book of 176 A400Ms across Belgium (7), France (50), Germany (53), Kazakhstan (2), Luxembourg (1), Malaysia (4), Spain (27), Turkey (10), and the United Kingdom (22).