Airbus Defence and Space has formally delivered the first of four Airbus A400M military transport ordered by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).

The handover also marks the first delivery of an A400M to an export customer outside the original launch nations.

The aircraft was accepted at the A400M Final Assembly Line in Seville, Spain, on March 9 by Chief of Malaysian Defence Force General Tan Sri Dr Zulkifeli.

It was witnessed by Deputy Secretary-General of the Ministry of Finance, Datuk Nozirah and Deputy Secretary-General of the Ministry of Defence, Datuk Dr Rothiah who signed the transfer ot title on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

“The A400M will give the RMAF the most advanced heavy transport capability in the region and enable us to undertake an extraordinary range of military and humanitarian operations,” RMAF Chief General Datuk Sri Roslan Bin Saad was quated as saying in an Airbus statement.

Airbus Defence and Space Chief Executive OfficerBernhard Gerwert said: “We are extremely proud to deliver the first A400M to our first export customer — Malaysia.”

These aircraft will transform Malaysia’s air mobility force, thanks to the A400M´s unique combination of strategic and tactical capabilities, he said.

“This sends a clear message that the A400M is not just a specialised aircraft designed and developed for Europe’s air forces, but is truly the new reference in tactical and strategic transport market globally — fulfilling both roles in a single machine,” the statement said.

Upon arrival in Malaysia, the A400M will star in the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition in Langkawi from March 17-21. — Bernama

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