Airbus Forecasts Orders Of 300 A400M Aircraft Over Next 30 Years

By Nor Baizura Basri SINGAPORE, Feb 19 (Bernama) -- Airbus has forecast that its advanced airlifter A400M aircraft could receive up to 300 orders over the next 30 years, driven by growing interest from countries globally. This is due to its enhanced capabilities as compared to the older generation of airlifters. Airbus Defence & Space's Market Development Manager for A400M Military Aircraft Raul Tena said the A400M met requirements globally, including the Southeast Asia region, and was suitable for missions, including humanitarian, while being well-adapted for all weather conditions. "We believe it has a lot of potential. Many people seems to be interested in the aircraft. We are confident of its prospects in the region," he told Bernama on the sidelines of the Singapore Airshow 2016 here Friday. Currently, Malaysia is the first international client of the A400M, having already received two of the four aircraft ordered last year. "The remaining two are expected to be delivered by year-end," Tena said. Apart from Malaysia, the A400M is already in service in France, Germany, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Airbus has to date received 174 orders for the aircraft, of which 23 have been delivered to date and the first in 2013. According to Tena, the production rate for this kind of aircraft is typically around 20 to 23 annually. The Airbus A400M can transport heavy and outsized loads like large helicopters and heavy armoured vehicles which cannot fit into current tactical airlifters or a humanitarian excavator, while flying them at a high cruise speed over a long range like a jet-engined strategic airlifter. Apart from that, it has a built-in tanker that can load up to 50 tonnes of oil which can be very rapidly fitted to two pods, to simultaneously refuel two fighters. With a hose and drum unit, it can also refuel a large aircraft such as another A400M or a C295. -- BERNAMA