Airbus partners with Germany to equip military planes with advanced protection

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Airbus partners with Germany to equip military planes with advanced protection

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Gerd Weber Head of the A400M programme at Airbus Defence and Space | LinkedIn

By Sky Industry News

Jun 9, 2025

Airbus has reached an agreement with Germany's Bundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) to enhance the safety of its A400M military transport aircraft by equipping them with infrared protection systems. This upgrade will be applied to 23 A400M aircraft used by the German Air Force during their scheduled maintenance in Manching, Germany, as well as Getafe and Seville, Spain.

The Airbus A400M is a four-engine turboprop designed for both strategic and tactical missions. Its capabilities include transporting heavy loads, medical evacuations, and aerial refueling. The German Air Force currently operates 42 of these aircraft and is set to receive a total of 53 by the end of 2026.

The major enhancement involves adding Directed Infrared Counter Measures (DIRCM), a system developed to shield aircraft from missiles equipped with infrared seekers. Certification for DIRCM is anticipated in summer 2025, with installations on the specified 23 aircraft planned by 2032.

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Gerd Weber, Head of the A400M programme at Airbus Defence and Space, remarked: “Transporting troops, equipment and humanitarian supplies; refuelling other aircraft and helicopters in the air; serving as a flying hospital for the treatment of wounded personnel – the Airbus A400M is the face and workhorse of the German Air Force. The new DIRCM system will provide A400M crews with even greater protection during their missions around the world and expand the already broad range of applications for this exceptional aircraft.”

DIRCM systems are designed primarily against threats like man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS). These systems employ a laser turret that emits pulsing infrared lasers to disrupt missile sensors. Elbit Systems’ DIRCM solutions have been adopted by various nations to protect different types of military and commercial aircraft.

The A400M continues to be a versatile asset for European air forces such as the Royal Air Force (RAF), providing significant tactical airlift capabilities since it entered service in 2014.