The 1st Airbus A400M for Indonesia has taken flight
August 4, 2025
Indonesia’s first Airbus A400M military transport aircraft has successfully completed its maiden flight, marking a major milestone ahead of delivery later this year.
The flight took place at Airbus Defence and Space’s final assembly line in Seville, Spain, where the aircraft was built and underwent extensive ground testing.
Indonesia signed a contract for two Airbus A400Ms in 2021, officially becoming the 10th nation to join the A400M programme. It will also become the second A400M operator in Southeast Asia after Malaysia, which has operated a fleet of four since 2015.
This inaugural flight is a key step forward in Indonesia’s efforts to enhance its strategic and tactical airlift capabilities.
According to an Airbus official, during the flight, the aircraft performed a series of manoeuvres to validate its handling and assess core systems, including engines, flight controls, hydraulics, and avionics, all of which passed successfully.
Airbus anticipates delivering the A400M to Indonesia in late 2025.
Indonesia prepares for the arrival of its first Airbus A400M
Configured for both tactical transport and air-to-air refuelling, the A400Ms are set to significantly boost the Indonesian Air Force’s operational flexibility.
The second aircraft is already undergoing fuel system testing in Seville and is expected to follow a similar path through painting, ground tests, and a check flight before delivery.
Once delivered, the A400Ms will be based at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in Jakarta and assigned to the 31st Air Squadron.
In anticipation, the Indonesian Air Force is upgrading base infrastructure, including logistics facilities, software systems, and personnel training. Due to the aircraft’s substantial size and support needs, a dedicated hangar is also under consideration.
The A400M’s combination of strategic range and tactical versatility is especially relevant for Indonesia, a vast archipelagic nation frequently hit by natural disasters.
With the ability to carry up to 30 tonnes over 2,400 nautical miles and land on short, unpaved runways, the A400M is tailored for missions in remote or disaster-struck areas. Its multirole capability includes aerial refuelling, making it a force multiplier in both peace and crisis scenarios.
Indonesia’s decision to acquire the A400M was informed in part by real-world experience. In 2018, after the devastating Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami, a Royal Malaysian Air Force A400M became the first and only heavy-lift aircraft to land on the heavily damaged Palu runway.
It delivered essential supplies and heavy equipment, demonstrating capabilities that no other aircraft could match in those conditions.
According to Indonesia’s defence ministry sources, Jakarta is also exploring future A400M variants, including firefighting capability.
The Airbus A400M: Strategic airlift for 10 nations
Airbus has received 178 orders for the A400M from 10 countries. The aircraft has now accumulated more than 200,000 flight hours and has been deployed across a variety of missions ranging from strategic troop and cargo transport to medical evacuation and humanitarian aid.
Recent deliveries have also been made to Kazakhstan, signalling the platform’s growing global footprint.
The A400M stands out as a truly multirole platform. Its wide cargo hold can accommodate ISO containers, troops, vehicles, or medical equipment. It can airdrop cargo or up to 116 paratroopers from altitudes as low as 150 feet. Its refuelling capability allows it to support fighter jets, helicopters, and even other A400Ms mid-flight.
Unlike traditional jet-powered airlifters, the A400M uses four turboprop engines that offer improved protection against foreign object damage (FOD) and allow for slower approach speeds, critical for landing on unprepared airstrips. Its 12-wheel main landing gear helps distribute weight more effectively on soft surfaces.
