Airbus Defence and Space has delivered the first Airbus A400M for the Republic of Kazakhstan to become the cornerstone of the country’s tactical and strategic airlift operations.

The first of two Airbus A400Ms ordered by Kazakhstan was handed over to the customer at a ceremony in Almaty, south Kazakhstan, after a ferry flight from Airbus’ A400M Final Assembly Line in Seville, southern Spain, a few days earlier.

“Proven for over a decade in military and humanitarian operations worldwide, the A400M is a game changer for the Kazakh Air Defense Forces, delivering unrivalled tactical and strategic capabilities in a single platform,” said Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space. “A second A400M, currently in production, will further strengthen these capabilities on its delivery in 2026.” 

With the delivery of this aircraft, production number MSN139, Airbus will also provide a full range of maintenance and training support.

To date, more than 130 A400Ms have been delivered to nine countries and have accumulated 200,000 flight hours, participating in missions such as the evacuation of civilian and military personnel from Afghanistan, Sudan and Niger. Combining the capabilities of both tactical and strategic aircraft, the A400M can transport heavy and outsized cargo on to short, unprepared airstrips, flying at low altitudes or dropping up to 116 paratroopers or 25 tonnes of cargo.

Airbus release