Langkawi. 22 March 2017. Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin Onn, Minister of Defence of Malaysia, took delivery of the fourth Airbus A400M military transport aircraft today on behalf of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).
Also present at the ceremony was the Chief of Air Force, General Dato’ Sri Affendi Buang RMAF. The ceremony took place at the Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace (LIMA) Exhibition 2017.
Malaysia is the A400M’s first export customer outside of the original European launch nations. It has ordered four aircraft, and took delivery of its first at LIMA 2015.
Fernando Alonso, Head of Military Aircraft, Airbus Defence and Space, gave a plaque to the Minister to symbolise the official handover of the aircraft.
“With this delivery, the RMAF now has a fleet of four aircraft, and can start to fully benefit from the A400M’s unique capabilities. We look forward to seeing the aircraft in action in the region, and will provide our full support as the RMAF expands its use of the A400M. The clear vision shown by the RMAF and Malaysia to be part of the A400M programme will start to bear fruit in the coming years, and I am convinced that they will be an example for the whole region,” said Fernando Alonso.
General Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein RMAF said, “We are very proud to take delivery of our fourth A400M, which is equipped with the latest tactical capabilities. Our fleet of A400Ms ensures that the RMAF is well placed to respond to, and undertake, a wide range of military and humanitarian operations within Malaysia and in the region.”
The occasion also saw the RMAF’s No 22 Squadron commemorate the completion of 2,000 flight hours on the A400M. To mark this milestone, Fernando Alonso presented a plaque to the Chief of Air Force and the Commanding Officer of No 22 Squadron, Colonel Masro Kaliwon RMAF.
Three RMAF A400Ms performed a special fly-past at opening ceremony of LIMA 2017. One RMAF A400M is on static display throughout the show from March 21-25, 2017.
