Airbus A400M Atlas

A four-engine European military transport that combines strategic airlift capacity with tactical access to short or unprepared runways, aerial refuelling and configurable special-mission roles.

Overview

The Airbus A400M Atlas is a four-engine turboprop military transport developed for European air forces requiring more payload and range than the C-130 class without moving to a substantially larger strategic airlifter. Managed as a multinational programme through the Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation (OCCAR), it serves Belgium, France, Germany, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Spain, Türkiye and the United Kingdom. The UK designation is Atlas C.Mk1.

The aircraft combines strategic movement of personnel, vehicles and helicopters with tactical delivery into short or unprepared airfields. The UK procurement authority describes the A400M as providing both tactical airlift and strategic oversize-lift capacity for global operations, with a maximum payload of 37 tonnes and accommodation for as many as 116 fully equipped troops, according to Defence Equipment & Support. Configurable roles include aerial refuelling, aeromedical evacuation, parachute delivery and firefighting.

By the end of May 2026, 139 aircraft had been delivered from 178 ordered. Airbus has sought to sustain the Seville production line through accelerated French and Spanish deliveries, additional exports and mission-system development. In 2025, the company and the launch nations agreed to review the programme's industrial position annually while pursuing lower operating costs and new capabilities, as detailed by Airbus.

🔒 The full Airbus A400M Atlas file is for BattlePolicy Pro members. Below the line: development history, design and capabilities, variants, the combat record, advantages and limitations, comparable systems, outlook, the full specifications table, our sourcing, and the analyst assessment — procurement, suppliers and the BattlePolicy verdict. Unlock the full file with BattlePolicy Pro →