Airbus shared on social media the process of preparation and painting of the first military transport aircraft A400M destined for Kazakhstan.
+ Click here to watch the video
The delivery of the first aircraft is scheduled for 2024, as announced in September 2021, but details regarding the cost and delivery time of the second A400M have not yet been disclosed.
+ During a cat chase, dogs cause $3,000 in damage to a car
A notable detail is that the A400Ms destined for the Kazakhstan Air Force will not include an air refueling system. This aspect sets the Kazakh aircraft apart from typical configurations used by other nations.
Airbus is expanding its presence in Kazakhstan, a market that, prior to the large-scale invasion by the Russian Federation, was also considered promising for Antonov.
Currently, the Kazakhstan Air Force operates a diverse fleet, including 8 C295 aircraft and six H145 helicopters from Airbus, in addition to maintaining operations with Antonov transport aircraft, such as the An-12, An-26, and An-72 models.
Despite the expansion in Kazakhstan, global export prospects for the A400M face challenges. Recently, there has been a slowdown in the export of these aircraft by Germany, whose actions seem to contradict its own economic interests. Germany currently has 38 of the 52 ordered A400Ms.
Other developments in the global market include South Korea’s decision to acquire the Brazilian KC-390s instead of the A400Ms, showcasing Brazil’s success in negotiating with potential buyers. Additionally, India is considering replacing its An-32 and Il-76 aircraft, with the A400M among the options considered in an ongoing bidding process.
Source: defence-ua.com – Photo and video by Airbus Defence. This content was created with the help of AI.