Eurosatory 2026: France launches development of new capabilities for A400M

Of the 50 A400M airlifters to be delivered to the French Air and Space Force, one of which is seen here at the Paris Airshow 2025, an undisclosed number will be retrofitted to receive the new Parallel Mission System for ISR and other special roles. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)

The Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) has contracted Airbus Defence and Space (DS) to develop new capabilities for the A400M airlifter, it was announced at the Eurosatory defence exhibition in Paris on 16 June 2026.

The OCCAR award on behalf of the French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) will see some of the French Air and Space Force's 50 contracted A400Ms upgraded with the Airbus DS Parallel Mission System (PMS) kit to equip them for a range of multi-mission capabilities related to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR).

“The A400M is a true Swiss Army Knife for the armed forces that use it. It has the capabilities and potential to continue expanding the scope of its missions,” said Jean-Brice Dumont, head of Air Power at Airbus DS. “With this development, the French Air and Space Force is acquiring an aircraft capable of becoming a tactical command and control (C2) tool in the air.”

As noted in the announcement, the PMS developments focus on the integration of a new onboard mission system, as well as tactical situational awareness consoles installed in the cargo hold to monitor various sensors and coordinate missions. They also aim to integrate an electro-optic sensor onto the aircraft.