Indonesia orders two A400M aircraft

An artist's impression of an A400M in Indonesian Air Force markings. The Indonesian Ministry of Defence ordered two A400Ms on 18 November 2021 and signed an LOI for four additional aircraft. (Airbus Group)

Indonesia has signed for two Airbus A400M Atlas multirole tanker and transport aircraft, becoming the 10th operator and the third export customer for the type.

On 18 November, Airbus announced that the contract will become effective in 2022 and includes a comprehensive maintenance and training support package. The value of the deal and the estimated date for the initial delivery of the aircraft had not been disclosed by the company at the time of publication.

The A400M will provide the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) with “the perfect platform to deliver large and heavy loads into remote areas and multiplying its airpower projection thanks to reliable aerial refuelling capabilities”, Michael Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space was quoted as saying. Indonesia's Minister of Defence, Prabowo Subianto, was also quoted as saying that the A400M will become “the cornerstone for human assistance and disaster response missions” of the TNI-AU.

Airbus added that a letter of intent (LOI) was signed for the future acquisition of four additional aircraft, with Subianto noting that Indonesia is exploring with Airbus future A400M developments, such as firefighting capabilities, as the object of additional orders.