The Indonesian defense ministry has ordered two Airbus A400M airlift aircraft, becoming the tenth customer for the type.
The contract for the airframes in multirole tanker and transport configuration will become effective in 2022, Airbus said, adding that the agreement included a complete maintenance and training support package.
Airbus also noted that the two sides signed a letter of intent for a possible future acquisition of four additional A400M aircraft.
”This new order will further expand the A400M footprint in the Asia-Pacific region. The A400M offers outstanding capabilities to Indonesia, providing its air force with the perfect platform to deliver large and heavy loads into remote areas and multiplying its airpower projection thanks to reliable aerial refuelling capabilities,” said Michael Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space.
Indonesia placed the order just two months after Kazakhstan was revealed as the ninth A400M customer.
Capable of operating from rough and short runways, the A400M will strengthen the Indonesian Air Force’s airlift capabilities to rapidly respond to any crisis, demonstrated in the aftermath of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck the country in 2018. The A400M was the first large airlifter able to deliver heavy loads like fuel trucks and excavators as well as food, clothes and medical supplies using a damaged and short runway in Palu (Central Sulawesi, Indonesia).
“This aircraft will play a key role in other key missions including paratrooping and heavy cargo transportation. We are also looking at additional A400M acquisition in the near term, with future A400M developments such as firefighting an important capability we are exploring jointly with Airbus,” said Prabowo Subianto, minister of defense of the Republic of Indonesia.
The airlifter has a range of 4,800 nm (8,900 km), 340 cubic meters of cargo space and a payload capacity of up to 37 tons. According to Airbus, the A400M can fly at an altitude of up to 40,000 ft/12,200 m for special operations.
The company recently celebrated the delivery of a milestone 100th A400M.
