Direction générale de l'armement
France’s defence procurement agency, the Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA),took delivery on 22 November 2017 the twelfth military transport aircraft A400M Atlas to be handed over to the Air Force.
The serial number of the aircraft is MSN62. Beyond the tactical and logistical capabilities of its predecessors, this aircraft is the first to be equipped with 2 underwing pods for in-flight refueling of fighter jets. Other aircraft in the fleet will be progressively equipped with this capability during retrofit campaigns. MSN 62 will join the Orléans-Bricy airbase in the coming days.
A tactical military transport aircraft with strategic capabilities, the A400M, produced by Airbus Defense and Space, is unmatched in the global market. Equipped with four turboprops, it is designed to carry up to 37 tons of equipment and carry out all missions related to military transport, including inter and intra-theater links, tactical landing on rough strips, airdrop of paratroopers and equipment including at very high altitude, aerial refueling or medical evacuation.
The Ministry of the Armed Forces will have 15 A400Ms by 2019, in accordance with the 2014-2019 Military Budget Law.
