Airbus delivers A400M airlifter to Kazakhstan
First of 2 for the nation
Airbus Defence and Space has delivered the first Airbus A400M to Kazakhstan, marking a significant milestone in the East European country’s tactical and strategic airlift capabilities.
Kazakhstan’s first of two ordered aircraft was officially handed over at a ceremony in Almaty in southern Kazakhstan. A few days earlier, it arrived after a ferry flight from Airbus’ Final Assembly Line in Seville, Spain.
The A400M, production number MSN139, will be accompanied by Airbus’s comprehensive maintenance and training support. The delivery marks a significant leap forward for Kazakhstan’s military, enhancing its ability to manage heavy and oversized cargo, operate on short, unprepared airstrips, and execute airborne operations.
Watch the video here:
Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space, stated: “Proven for over a decade in military and humanitarian operations worldwide, the A400M is a game-changer for the Kazakh Air Defence Forces. It provides unrivalled tactical and strategic capabilities in a single platform.”
He also highlighted that a second A400M, currently in production, will further strengthen Kazakhstan’s airlift operations when delivered in 2026.
The A400M can carry up to 116 paratroopers or 25 tonnes of cargo or fly at low altitudes for tactical missions. Over 130 A400Ms have been delivered to nine countries, and the aircraft has accumulated over 200,000 flight hours.
The A400M has been deployed on numerous missions, including evacuations from Afghanistan, Sudan, and Niger, proving its versatility in both humanitarian and military operations.
Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country in Central Asia and the ninth-largest by area. Russia borders it to the north and China to the east. The country boasts vast steppes, mountain ranges, and rich natural resources, making it the largest economy in Central Asia.
With a population of around 20 million, Kazakhstan was part of the Soviet Union until its independence in 1991.
Hero image: The A400M is a Kazakh Air Defence Forces game-changer. Credit: Airbus
