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A French Air Force A400M is featured on the static display at this year's Dubai Airshow, as Airbus chases its first export order since Malaysia signed up for the programme in 2005. Source: IHS/Gareth Jennings
The French Air Force is displaying one of its Airbus Defence and Space (DS) A400M Atlas airlifters at the Dubai Airshow 2015 for the first time, as the company looks to secure its first export customer for the type in 10 years.
One of the seven A400Ms so far delivered to France is appearing on static display at the event from 8-12 November, boosting Airbus DS' attempts to add to its current 174-aircraft orderbook by signing up its first non-partner customer since Malaysia joined the programme in 2005.
The arrival of the French Air Force platform in Dubai comes two years after a company-owned aircraft marked the type's debut at the event in 2013. While the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has both its strategic fixed-wing airlift requirements already catered for in the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, its tactical fleet of Lockheed Martin C-130H/C-130H-30/L-100-30 Hercules date back to the 1970s and 1980s, and so would be a target for possible replacement by Airbus DS and its A400M.
Further to the UAE's requirements, the wider Middle East region is seeing growing expeditionary requirements, especially in the kind of international coalition and humanitarian relief work that necessitates a large airlifter of the type of the A400M.
With a 37-tonne payload, the A400M can carry a wide assortment of outsized military equipment, such as two Apache helicopters, one Chinook, one Patriot launching station, one M109 howitzer plus pallets and personnel, two M113 armoured personnel carriers (APCs) plus 30 troops, one VBCI heavy infantry fighting vehicle plus 10 troops, one heavy excavator plus pallets and personnel, or one M3 bridging system plus personnel. Carrying 20 tonnes, it can fly an unrefuelled 3,400 n miles at 37,000 ft, and at near-airliner speeds of Mach 0.72.
Speaking to reporters at Airbus DS' annual Trade Media Briefing at the site of the A400M final assembly line in Seville in late October, company officials spelled out the current status of the programme, as well as upcoming events and milestones.
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Dubai Airshow 2015: French Air Force showcases A400M as Airbus looks to secure sales - IHS Jane's 360
