Article Posted on : - Apr 17, 2012

An Airbus Military photo.

KUALA LUMPUR (BNS): The Airbus Military A400M new generation airlifter recently arrived at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Subang Airbase as part of its Asia tour.

The Malaysian Government has ordered four of the new aircraft which has as its launch customer nations Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, Turkey and the UK.

Malaysia, an A400M customer, is the first and longest stop of its three-nation Asia tour, with the aircraft staying there from 14 to 17 April giving the Malaysian Government and Air Force a chance to see the A400M at first hand.

The tour continues with visits to Jakarta, Indonesia, and Chiang Mai and Bangkok, Thailand, before returning to Europe.

The aircraft being flown for the Asia Pacific tour is Grizzly 4, one of the five development aircraft.

The A400M is an all new military airlifter designed to fly higher, faster and further, while retaining high manoeuvrability, low speed, and short, soft and rough airfield capabilities.

It combines both tactical and strategic/logistic missions, while being also able to be used as a tanker plane.