Airbus and OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation) have reached an agreement with the A-400M launch Nations to secure production for the programme for the foreseeable future, improve the cost of operations, and jointly develop new capabilities. Through the agreement, France and Spain stated their intention to advance four and three aircraft respectively in their delivery schedule.

As key enablers, Airbus has committed to work on operational cost improvements through maintenance optimisation and efficiency measures, and make A-400M future developments faster and more cost-effective, enhancing Europe’s defence capabilities and ensuring its strategic autonomy in air transport and mobility.

Through the agreement, both industries will review the industrial status of the programme on a yearly basis, giving the A-400M production set-up stability to pursue the evolution of the platform and open export opportunities.

Among these new capabilities, Airbus is already looking into developments like standoff jamming, payload increase to 40 tonnes, mothership for remote carriers and firefighting -developments that will further widen the A-400M applications and are key to the present and future global requirements for both current and future operators.