Seville, Spain, 22 December 2020 – The Belgian Air Force has taken delivery of its first of seven Airbus A400M military transport aircraft. The aircraft was handed over under tight sanitary COVID-19 rules at the A400M Final Assembly Line in Seville-San Pablo and subsequently performed its ferry flight to the 15th (Air Transport) Wing in Melsbroek (Brussels international airport), where the aircraft will be based.
This A400M, known as MSN106, will be operated within a binational unit composed of a total of eight aircraft, seven from the Belgian Air Force and one from the Luxembourg Armed Forces. This single airlifter (MSN104) ordered by the Luxembourg Armed Forces made its maiden flight in April last, marking a key milestone towards the full modernization of another European air arm. Let’s recall here that the lone Luxembourg A400M will be operated alongside those of Belgium within a binational unit based at Melsbroek.
The second A400M for Belgium will be delivered in early 2021; after which the Belgian Air Force will start to relinquish its ten Lokheed C-130H Hercules now long in tooth.
Alberto Gutierrez, Head of Military Aircraft at Airbus Defence and Space, said: “With the delivery of this aircraft all launch customers are now equipped with the A400M. MSN106 will join Luxemburg’s aircraft in the binational unit operated jointly with Belgium. Despite challenges due to Covid-19, our teams have achieved all 10 aircraft deliveries scheduled this year, bringing the global fleet now in operation worldwide to 98 aircraft.”
