..:: India Strategic :. Military Aviation: Airbus Military delivers first A400M to French Air Force

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Editorial

Airbus Military delivers first A400M to French Air Force
Ten years wait comes to an end

Published: August 2013

MADRID. Airbus Military formally delivered the first A400M new generation airlifter, which is known in French service as the A400M Atlas, to the French Air Force, on August 1. The aircraft, MSN7, joined the French airbase of Orleans-Bricy. This delivery represents the culmination of 10 years of development by Airbus Military and more than 5,000 flight-test hours, involving close to 40,000 people working for this major European defence programme.

Domingo Ureòa-Raso, Chairman and CEO of Airbus Military said: “Today is a truly historic day for the European aerospace industry – marking the moment at which it becomes the new global leader in the military transport sector with an entirely new aircraft. I would like to express my sincere thanks to everyone at Airbus Military, Airbus and our suppliers whose unflagging efforts have made this enormous achievement possible, as well as our customers and OCCAR whose inputs over the years have been crucial to the success of the programme.”

This first aircraft delivered to France will initially be used for the continuing training of aircrew before becoming part of the French Air Force operational transport fleet.

An official ceremony to celebrate the delivery in its Final Assembly Location in Sevilla will take place after the summer break.