The Bundeswehr is planning 16 new A400M transport aircraft.

More tactics in the air The Bundeswehr Wants to Procure A400M Aircraft From Airbus

2026-10-05 Source: dpa | Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

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According to Federal Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, the Bundeswehr plans to order 16 new A400M transport aircraft from Airbus so that this unit becomes more modern ...

The Bundeswehr does have more than 50 transport aircraft, but it lacks any that also bring tactical capabilities. With the Airbus A400M, this shortcoming could be remedied, which is why there are plans to buy 16 aircraft of this type ...(Source: Airbus) — The Bundeswehr does have more than 50 transport aircraft, but it lacks any that also bring tactical capabilities. With the Airbus A400M, this shortcoming could be remedied, which is why there are plans to buy 16 aircraft of this type ...
(Source: Airbus)

Boris Pistorius stated at a press conference in Bremen (Germany), which had been preceded by a visit to the Airbus plant there, that the Bundeswehr will procure 16 aircraft of the A400M model, replacing older aircraft without tactical capabilities. They are currently thinking very concretely about replacing logistic aircraft with new tactical ones. There have already been very good talks with Airbus on this.

A single A400M refuelling load is enough to reach New York

But first the German Bundestag still has to decide on it, Pistorius said. It is reportedly a matter of a sum in the billions. So far, the Bundeswehr has 53 transport aircraft of this type. All of them are stationed in Wunstorf near Hanover (Germany). The most recent aircraft to date was only handed over in April of this year. However, 16 of the older aircraft are purely transporters, without tactical capabilities such as defence against missile fire, Pistorius noted. These are now to be replaced. According to Airbus, the A400M can carry up to 37 tonnes of cargo and fly distances of up to just under 6,300 kilometers (approx. 3,915 miles).

Old models are to be sold to partners

The transport aircraft would then have the following functions: it can refuel other aircraft in the air or be refueled itself. Besides transporting soldiers or military goods—even tanks—it can also be used for humanitarian missions. It brings relief supplies to crisis areas, can be converted into a mobile field hospital, or serve as a firefighting aircraft. Worldwide, the A400M is used by ten different nations. If it is up to Pistorius, there should be even more. In his view, the A400M is the best aircraft of its kind. When purchasing new aircraft, older Bundeswehr aircraft from this area of deployment would then be sold to partners. Incidentally, it is technically designed so that it can take off and land on sandy or uneven runways. The transport aircraft is built, among other places, in Bremen, where the A400M’s fuselage is made.

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