Airbus Defence and Space has delivered to the Indonesia Ministry of Defence its first A-400M, marking a major milestone in the country's efforts to modernise its military transport capabilities. The heavy tactical airlift will be operated by the Indonesian Air Force.

The delivery ceremony took place at the Halim Air Force Base in Jakarta, following the handing over of the aircraft at the Airbus facility in Seville, Spain. This is the first out of two A-400M aircraft ordered by Indonesia in 2021. The second A-400M is expected to be delivered in 2026.

Additionally, Airbus will provide the Indonesian Air Force with comprehensive training and support services to ensure a smooth entry into service.

In the context of this A-400M delivery, Indonesia will study the potential integration of the newly developed A-400M firefighting kit on-board both aircraft.

The roll-on / roll-off modular firefighting kit allows the A-400M to be rapidly converted into a water bomber aircraft, capable of dropping up to 20,000 litres of retardant or water in a single pass. This new capability will significantly bolster Indonesia’s ability to respond to wildfires across its widespread and often hard-to-reach terrain. 

The A-400M delivered to Indonesia is configured for cargo, troop transport, MEDEVAC, and humanitarian missions. It can carry a maximum payload of up to 37 tonnes of heavy or oversized loads, including helicopters, vehicles, and relief supplies. For an average mission carrying 30 tonnes, the A-400M can fly 2,400 nautical miles, covering the entire archipelago from Jakarta. 

Designed for operational flexibility, it can operate on short, unpaved runways and also serves as a multi-role aerial refuelling platform, acting as a force multiplier that extends the reach of the Indonesian Air Force.