- The aircraft will be delivered in a multi-purpose tanker and transport configuration.
- Letters of intent for the addition of four aircraft.
The Indonesian Ministry of Defense has ordered two Airbus A400M multi-purpose tanker and transport aircraft configurations.
The contract will come into effect in 2022 and will bring the total number of A400M operators to 10 countries. The agreement includes a complete maintenance and training support package. A letter of intent was also signed for the purchase of four other A400M aircraft in the future.
“This new order will further expand A400M’s footprint in the Asia-Pacific region. A400M provides Indonesia with excellent capabilities, provides a perfect platform for its air force, can transport large and heavy cargo to remote areas, and rely on reliable air Refueling capabilities increase its airpower projection,” said Michael Schoellhorn, chief executive officer of Airbus Defense and Space.
The A400M’s ability to operate on rugged and short runways will strengthen the Indonesian Air Force’s airlift capabilities to quickly respond to any crisis, which was proven after the earthquake that struck the country in 2018 and the subsequent tsunami. The A400M is the first large airlift capable of using the damaged short runway in Palu (Central Sulawesi, Indonesia) to transport heavy items such as fuel trucks and excavators, as well as food, clothing and medical supplies.
“A400M is a truly multifunctional platform that will greatly enhance the tactical air-to-air capabilities of the Indonesian Air Force. This aircraft will play a key role in other key missions, including paratroopers and heavy cargo transportation. We are also considering acquiring more in the near future. With more A400M, the future development of A400M (such as firefighting) is an important capability that we and Airbus explore together. A400M will become the cornerstone of national assets and human assistance and disaster response missions, surpassing its tactics and air-to-air capabilities. “Prabowo Subianto, Minister of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia, said.
The A400M can carry heavy and oversized loads within strategic distances and transport them to tactical locations while providing additional air refueling capabilities. The ideal solution to meet the requirements of the Air Force’s multi-purpose tanker and transport aircraft.
The A400M can fly quickly at high and very low altitudes, and is an ideal platform for refueling fighters and other major aircraft through two under-wing refueling pods. Its built-in air-to-air refueling capability allows for quick reconfiguration as a tanker, making it easy to adapt to changing operating scenarios and tasks. This adaptability is unique to A400M, and it can also refuel in flight.
