Airbus has delivered the first of two A400M Atlas transport aircraft to the Republic of Kazakhstan. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of the Republic of Kazakhstan on 5 December.
This aircraft represents the initial unit of a pair ordered in September 2021, signifying the nation’s entry into the select group of operators of this particular model. With this procurement, Kazakhstan joins the ranks as the ninth country globally to operate the A400M, and it is the first international customer to do so since 2005, when Malaysia incorporated the model into its fleet.
The A400M will be integrated into Kazakhstan’s fleet, complementing the existing Airbus C295 aircraft that are currently utilized by the Air Force and border guard service. The incorporation of the A400M is anticipated to enhance Kazakhstan’s strategic and tactical airlift capabilities.
The A400M is a four-engine turboprop military airlifter developed by Airbus Military, now known as Airbus Defence and Space, this aircraft serves as a tactical airlifter with strategic capabilities, intended to succeed older models such as the Transall C-160 and the Lockheed C-130 Hercules. The A400M occupies a size category between the C-130 and the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, offering a greater payload capacity than the C-130 and the ability to operate from unpaved airstrips. Beyond its primary transport functions, the A400M is also capable of conducting aerial refuelling and medical evacuation missions when equipped with the necessary systems.
