First Malaysian A400M takes shape

A400M Image Credit: Airbus Military The first Airbus A400M airlifter for the Royal Malaysian Air Force is taking shape at the Airbus Defe...

A400M Image Credit: Airbus Military

The first Airbus A400M airlifter for the Royal Malaysian Air Force is taking shape at the Airbus Defence and Space final assembly line in Seville, Spain.

All the fully equipped major sections including the wing, tailplane, cockpit, fuselage and landing-gear have been joined ready for ground-testing.

This aircraft will be delivered in the first quarter of 2015, followed by two more later in the year and the fourth and final aircraft in 2016.

The first group of Malaysian pilot trainees are already undergoing instruction at the ADS International Training Centre and will be joined by maintenance engineers and technicians in the coming weeks.