In 2003 Germany placed an order the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), which later became Airbus, for the A400's as a replacement for the outdated C-160 Transall. The initial plan was for Germany to purchase 60 units, but the number was later reduced to 53. The final contract for 53 A400Ms was signed in 2003, with deliveries initially expected to start in 2009. However, due to various delays and development challenges, the first delivery took place no sooner than December the 18th 2014. The C-160 was phased out after the disbandment of 63 Air Transport Wing at the end of 2021 and currently the Luftwaffe operates over 40 A400's. The last of the 53 aircraft is expected to be deliverd at the end of 2026. All the Luftwaffe Airbus A400M aircraft are stationed with 62 Air Transport Wing at Fliegerhorst Wunstorf.

Transporter, tanker and lifesaver

The Airbus A400M is a high-wing aircraft with four turboprop engines, a pressurized cabin and a rear cargo door, and is designed as a strategic and tactical transport and tanker aircraft. It can transport and airdrop personnel and materiel. Transports can be carried out in different variants. Up to 116 people can be accommodated in the A400M. In addition to air transport, the A400M is also used as an airborne gas station. Other aircraft such as the German Eurofighter and Tornado can dock onto the A400M during flight and can be refueled at a speed of more than 500 km per hour. The German Air Force was the first A400M-operating nation to deploy this capability in 2019. In addition to its capabilities as a transport aircraft and tanker, the A400M can also be used for the movement of patients. For this purpose, so-called patient transport units will be fitted into the cargo hold. They allow even patients requiring intensive care to be treated during the flight.

Growing demands

In 2024 the A400M flew more than 10 years for the Luftwaffe and it still has a long life ahead of it. During those 10 years the A400 flew over 50.000 hours, 25,000 of which have been completed since January 2022 alone. This shows that the aircraft is being used more and more frequently to support the missions of the German Armed Forces and their allies, in the face of an increasingly difficult geopolitical security situation.

Updates

Airbus has been awarded a contract from the German procurement agency to equip 23 Luftwaffe A400Ms with DIRCM protection systems. DIRCM stands for ‘Directed Infrared Counter Measures’ and will protect the military transport aircraft from missiles with infrared seekers. Under the contract just signed, the company will also provide services including training, service bulletins and tools. “Transporting troops, equipment and humanitarian supplies; refuelling other aircraft and helicopters in the air; serving as a flying hospital for the treatment of wounded personnel – the Airbus A400M is the face and workhorse of the German Air Force,” said Gerd Weber, Head of the A400M programme at Airbus Defence and Space. “The new DIRCM system will provide A400M crews with even greater protection during their missions around the world and expand the already broad range of applications for this exceptional aircraft.” Certification is scheduled for summer 2025, with installation in the 23 A400Ms by 2032.