The Airbus Military A400M new generation airlifter recently arrived in Malaysia at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Subang Airbase as part of its Asia tour, where a welcome ceremony took place today in the presence of the Chief of the Royal Malaysian Air Force.

The visit, the first time that the A400M will be seen in Asia, will give the Malaysian Government and Air Force a chance to see the A400M at first hand.

The Malaysian Government has ordered 4 of the new aircraft which has as its launch customer nations Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, Turkey and the UK.

On the occasion of the welcoming ceremony, Airbus Military Senior Vice President for Commercial, Strategy and Industrial Relations, Asia, Ignacio Alonso said: “It is with immense pleasure and pride that we bring the A400M to our highly valued customer, the Royal Malaysian Air Force and the Malaysian Government. During the visit of the A400M here in Malaysia we will show the exceptional capabilities of the aircraft to the Chief of the Air Force and the Minister of Defense as well as other Air Force staff and invited guests. The A400M will perfectly respond to the national and international needs of the Royal Malaysian Air Force as well as allow the most effective participation in humanitarian missions. We look forward to a long and fruitful cooperation with Malaysia.”

Airbus Military Chief Test Pilot, Ed Strongman, added: “I have had the pleasure of showing the Chief of the RMAF the A400M simulator in France last year and now I look forward to showing him, and his RMAF personnel, the real aircraft flying here in Malaysia. We have done a lot of work since his last visit to Toulouse and have now completed all the flight test work for the issue of the initial Type Certificate.

This year we are expanding the aircraft’s capabilities to achieve its full potential - short field and unpaved runway operations, air drop of equipment, and Air to Air Refueling are just a few examples of our present flight test activities. We look forward to seeing our magnificent A400M in service with the Royal Malaysian Air Force”.