The German parliament has approved a financing plan to upgrade its fleet of Airbus A400M military transport aircraft, aiming to align with evolving NATO requirements.
The Airbus A400M modernization program, which also involves Belgium, France, Spain, and the UK, has a total cost of 380 million euros ($410 million).
Germany’s contribution will be up to 152 million euros ($165 million), financed through a special fund approved by parliament and the country’s regular defense budget.
The upgrade will ensure compliance with NATO regulations and address capability gaps, particularly in the ability to rapidly and effectively deploy armed forces to overseas operational theaters.
The Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) and Airbus will oversee the work to upgrade the A400 fleet.
Airbus A400M
The A400M is capable of landing and taking off in austere conditions, making it suitable for military and humanitarian operations.
It serves as a transporter for vehicles, helicopters, personnel, and troops, and supports two-point air-to-air refueling operations.
With a payload capacity of up to 25 tonnes, the aircraft can carry enough fuel for a round trip of 930 kilometers (578 miles).
The wings of the Airbus A400M are designed in the UK, while its fuselage is manufactured in Germany.
Last year, Airbus began constructing an A400M maintenance center in Germany, and Berlin plans to receive a total of 53 aircraft by 2026.