Fuelling the Fight! (Luftwaffe A400M refuels RAF Typhoons)
February 19, 2025
A pair of Royal Air Force Typhoons conducted their first operational Air to Air Refuelling with a Luftwaffe (German Air Force) A400M Atlas as part of Operation Shader – the UK’s contribution to the fight against Daesh (ISIS). The RAF said that this highlighted the “great collaborative work with our German partners,” and would provide more operational agility for the Royal Air Force to fly sorties on Op SHADER and in the broader Middle East.
Flight tracking sites noted a German Air Force A400M Atlas (call sign PRIMR62) operating along the Iraq/Syria border near Al Biaj on 11 February 2025. This aircraft was also spotted operating in Iraq in January 2025 on two occasions.
Germany announced an extension of their commitment to the NATO fight against the Islamic State in Iraq in October 2024. This will include air-to-air refuelling, and air transport. The mandate for the deployment of the Bundeswehr lies within the framework of NATO Mission Iraq and the Global Coalition against Daesh was extended to January 2026. The extension to the mandate will focus on building up the capabilities of the Iraqi armed and security forces and supporting Iraq in the establishment of sustainable security structures.
Together with its partners, Germany wants to consolidate the long term stabilisation achieved so far, to prevent the resurgence of the so-called Islamic State and to promote reconciliation in Iraq, and its military commitment is embedded within a comprehensive civilian engagement programme that will include development co-operation and humanitarian assistance.
