Article Posted on : - Jul 29, 2014

A400M military transport aircraft. Photo: J L Brunet/French Air Force

PARIS (BNS): The French DGA has taken delivery of the third production A400M military transport aircraft, the Ministry of Defence said.

The Direction Generale de l'Armement (DGA) received the aircraft bearing the serial number MSN10 on 25 July and transferred the aircraft to the Orleans-Bricy airbase on the same day, the MoD statement said.

This new tactical A400M aircraft manufactured by Airbus Defence and Space was certified in mid-May.

The aircraft powered by four turboprop engines, is designed to carry up to 37 tonnes of cargo and to fly the full range of missions relating to air transport, including inter- and intra-theatre transport, assault landings on unprepared airstrips, air dropping of personnel and supplies, including from very high altitudes, in-flight refuelling and medical evacuation.

The French Air Force took delivery of the first two A400M aircraft in 2013.