Kazakhstan has taken delivery of its first Airbus A400M Atlas, a tactical and strategic airlifter. This aircraft is part of an order for two units from Airbus, with the second expected in 2026. The delivery was marked by a ceremony in Almaty after the aircraft arrived from Airbus' assembly line in Seville, Spain.
"Airbus Defence and Space has delivered the first Airbus A400M for the Republic of Kazakhstan to become the cornerstone of the country’s tactical and strategic airlift operations," said Airbus. Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space, added that "the A400M is a game changer for the Kazakh Air Defense Forces."
The A400M can perform various missions such as cargo transport, personnel transport (up to 116 paratroopers), aerial refueling, and firefighting. It has been used extensively in combat deployments across Africa. Since entering service in 2013, over 130 units have been delivered worldwide.