Airbus A400M

Airbus A400M Atlas overview

The Airbus A400M Atlas is a four-engine turboprop military transport built for European air forces. It was designed to carry heavier loads than the C-130 Hercules while still using short, rough airstrips.

The first aircraft flew on 11 December 2009 from Seville, Spain. Deliveries began in 2013, when the French Air Force received its first aircraft.

Airbus lists 178 orders from ten nations. The full specification table for the aircraft is on this page, so the sections below explain the numbers rather than repeat them.

Development history

Airbus Military ran the programme, and the original partner nations were France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, Turkey, Belgium and Luxembourg. Italy later withdrew, and South Africa joined in 2005 before cancelling its order in 2009.

The engine choice was settled in May 2003, when the Europrop TP400 beat a Pratt & Whitney Canada bid. The programme then ran years late and billions of euros over budget, and the engines and propeller gearboxes were among the main problems.

A PwC audit put the projected overrun at €11.2 billion before corrective measures cut it to €7.6 billion. In 2016, faults in 14 propeller gearboxes from Avio Aero led to a US$1 billion charge.

Why the A400M uses propellers

Airbus says turboprops give the aircraft better protection from foreign object damage on rough strips. They also suit the short-field work the aircraft was designed for.

Each of the four Europrop TP400-D6 engines is rated at 11,000 shp. That lets the Atlas cruise at Mach 0.68 to 0.72, which is faster than a traditional turboprop transport and close to jet speeds.

The wide twelve-wheel main landing gear spreads the weight on soft ground. Airbus says this is what lets the aircraft use strips that jet airlifters cannot.

Payload and cargo hold

The A400M can carry a maximum payload of 81,500 lb (37,000 kg). The hold is 58 ft 1 in (17.71 m) long, 13 ft 1 in (4.00 m) wide and 12 ft 8 in (3.85 m) high.

Airbus lists up to 116 troops or paratroopers, or up to 66 stretchers with medical staff. Cargo drops of up to 25 tonnes are possible, including multiple loads in one pass.

Published loading examples include six Land Rovers with trailers, two light armoured vehicles, or a Puma or Cougar helicopter. None of the sources opened for this page lists a main battle tank as a standard load.

Range, speed and short-field performance

Range depends heavily on the load. With a 20-tonne payload Airbus quotes about 3,400 nm (3,900 mi) , and the panel shows the longer ferry figure.

The tactical takeoff and landing distances in the panel assume a rough strip rather than a long paved runway. Airbus says the aircraft can deliver a full 37-tonne load to a strip under 2,460 ft (750 m) .

Aerial refuelling and other roles

The A400M can receive fuel through a removable probe. It can also act as a tanker, using two underwing hose-and-drogue pods or a centreline hose unit.

The pods transfer fuel at up to 20 kg/s. Airbus says the tanker can offload up to 51 tonnes, and the aircraft also flies as a medical evacuation aircraft and a paratroop transport.

In 2026 a French A400M was used as a firefighting platform with a roll-on kit, and an RAF Atlas airdropped medical supplies to Tristan da Cunha.

Operators and deliveries

The operators are France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Indonesia and Kazakhstan. Wikipedia counts 140 delivered of 178 ordered as of October 2026.

The UK ordered 22, all delivered, and Germany has received all 53 of its order. Indonesia took its first aircraft in November 2025, and more orders are under discussion.

In June 2026 France became launch customer for the Parallel Mission System upgrade, which targets intelligence and surveillance work.

The 2015 Seville crash

On 9 May 2015, an A400M on a pre-delivery test flight crashed shortly after takeoff from Seville. Four of the six crew died.

The cause was traced to the engine control software, which could not read engine sensors after an accidental file wipe. Three engines stayed at idle during takeoff.

A400M vs C-130 Hercules

The A400M carries a much heavier load than a C-130 and cruises faster. The C-130 remains the lighter tactical transport.

Airbus markets the Atlas as filling the space between the C-130 and the C-17, which is why the two types often serve side by side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the A400M use propellers?

Airbus says turboprops protect better against foreign object damage on rough strips and suit short-field operations. The TP400 engines still let it cruise at up to Mach 0.72.

What is the best military transport aircraft?

It depends on the mission. The C-17 carries heavier loads over longer distances, the C-130 is the lighter tactical workhorse, and the A400M sits between them with rough-strip ability.

Can the A400M carry tanks?

Published loading examples are light armoured vehicles, Land Rovers and helicopters such as the Puma and Cougar. The sources checked for this page do not list a main battle tank as a standard load.

How many Airbus A400M Atlas does the RAF have?

The Royal Air Force ordered 22 A400M Atlas aircraft and all have been delivered, according to Wikipedia’s October 2026 order table.

When did the A400M first fly?

The first flight was on 11 December 2009 from Seville, and French deliveries began in 2013.