The Spanish Air Force has taken delivery of its first Airbus A400M airlifter – described as the most advanced aircraft to have been produced in Spain and one which will transform the nation’s air mobility fleet.  Today’s contractual handover of the first of 27 aircraft that it has ordered makes Spain the sixth nation to put the A400M into service.  The aircraft is the 34th A400M to be delivered.

Representatives of the Spanish Air Force and Ministry of Defence formally accepted the aircraft, MSN44, from Airbus Defence and Space in a brief ceremony at the A400M final assembly line (FAL) in Seville. 

In Spanish service the A400M will replace the ageing C-130, carrying about twice the load over the same distance, or the same load twice as far. In addition it can serve as a tactical air-to-air tanker for other transport aircraft, including other A400Ms. 

Airbus DS says that 14 aircraft will be delivered to Spain at a steady pace between now and 2022, and the remaining 13 are scheduled for delivery from 2025 onwards. 

The Spanish A400M fleet will be based at Zaragoza in Northeast Spain and will represent the heavy-lift element of a transport force that includes the medium C295 and CN235, and light C212 aircraft – all produced by Airbus Defence and Space. MSN44 will fly to Zaragoza in the coming days.