Indonesia acquires first A400M aircraft

The Indonesian Air Forceʼs Air Squadron 31 will operate the acquired A400M Atlas transport aircraft. (Airbus Defence and Space)

The Indonesian Air Force (Tentara Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Udara: TNI-AU) received its first A400M Atlas transport aircraft on 3 October, according to Airbus Defence and Space.

A delivery ceremony for the aircraft was conducted at the TNI-AU's Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in Jakarta, the company said in a statement on the same day. The aircraft, which has the serial number A-4001, is the first of two A400Ms contracted by Indonesia in 2021.

The second A400M is expected to be delivered in 2026, Airbus Defence and Space added.

The delivery of the first aircraft comes weeks after the Chief of Staff of the TNI-AU, Air Chief Marshal Mohamad Tony Harjono, and an air force delegation reviewed the final assembly line of the A400M aircraft in October. The group also visited the International Training Centre (ITC) to meet TNI-AU personnel undergoing training.

According to Airbus Defence and Space, Indonesia's A400M contracted aircraft are configured for cargo, troop transport, medical evacuation (medevac), and humanitarian missions.

The aircraft is capable of transporting a maximum payload of up to 37 tonnes(including heavy or oversized loads) that can include helicopters, vehicles, and relief supplies. On an average mission with a 30 tonne payload, the A400M can fly 2,400 n miles, according to Airbus Defence and Space.

This will enable the aircraft “to cover the entire Indonesian archipelago from Jakarta”, the company said.

Speaking during the handover ceremony of the aircraft to the TNI-AU at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said the aircraft will be equipped with a modular air ambulance capability and equipment to deal with forest fires.