Germany receives final A400M airlifter

As the last of 53 A400Ms for Germany, 54+63 was delivered to the Luftwaffe on 18 April 2026. (Luftwaffe)

Germany has received into service its 53rd and final Airbus Defence and Space (DS) A400M airlifter.

Aircraft 54+63 was handed over to the Luftwaffe on 18 April 2026, completing a delivery run that was commenced in 2014.

The Luftwaffe procured the A400M to replace its now-retired Transall C-160s. As well as using the A400M for logistical transport, the service is using its aircraft for tactical missions in contested environments. To this end, the Luftwaffe has equipped its aircraft with the Elbit Systems J-MUSIC (MUlti-Spectral Infrared Countermeasure) system, as well as a terrain-masking low-level flight system. The fleet is also provisioned for use as aerial refuelling tankers.

Future roles for the A400M in Luftwaffe service may include acting as a mother-ship to swarming unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned ‘loyal wingmen' remote carriers, and potentially as a standoff jammer for the luWES (Luftgestützte Wirkung im Elektromagnetischen Spektrum) mission for NATO.

Germany had originally intended to buy 73 A400Ms, but this number was reduced in 2011 to 53. While the country later looked to offload 13 of these and also to operate them as an international fleet, it has now taken them all into the Luftwaffe inventory.

The type is operated by 1, 2, and 3 Flying Squadrons at Wunstorf Air Base, with the training unit of 4 Flying Squadron at Bremen Airport.

For more, please see:‘Risks remain' for A400M as further development and retrofits progress, says Airbus