Indonesia Welcomes First Airbus A400M Heavy Transport
Indonesia has received its first of two A400M Atlas military transport aircraft at the Halim Air Force Base in Jakarta.
It is part of a 2021 contract that includes comprehensive training and support services, with the second aircraft due for delivery in 2026, supporting the Southeast Asian country’s military transport modernization efforts.
The latest aircraft will be assigned to Squadron 31 at Halim Perdanakusuma, the air force’s elite strategic operations unit, according to Jakarta Globe.
The delivery marks Jakarta as the 10th operator of the heavy airlifter worldwide, and the second country in Southeast Asia after Malaysia, which operates a fleet of four A400Ms.
Meanwhile, Indonesia may potentially order four more A400Ms, President Prabowo Subianto told reporters after the delivery ceremony.
Karl-Heinz Grossman, Head of International at Airbus Defence and Space, described the delivery as “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.”
Indonesian A400M
With a maximum payload capacity of 37 tonnes (81,571 pounds) and the ability to operate on short, unpaved runways, the delivered A400M is configured for the Indonesian Air Force to deploy for cargo and troop transport, medical evacuation, and humanitarian missions.
Airbus said that the aircraft is capable of carrying 30 tonnes (66,139 pounds) while flying 2,400 nautical miles (2,761 miles/4,445 kilometers), covering the entire Indonesian archipelago.
Apart from its transport function, the A400M also serves as an aerial refuelling platform.
Moreover, Indonesia is weighing plans to outfit its newest transport aircraft with a roll-on/roll-off modular firefighting system, allowing the A400M to convert to a water bomber capable of releasing up to 20,000 liters (5,283 gallons) of water or fire retardant chemicals in one pass.
