Actualización de noticias sobre el A400M, primera quincena de abril.
RU realiza el lanzamiento de paracaidistas más grande en una década: https://conservativepost.co.uk/britains-airborne-strength-on-full-display-in-major-parachute-operation/
The largest military parachute jump conducted in the United Kingdom for more than a decade has demonstrated, with clarity and purpose, the strength of cooperation between the British Army and the Royal Air Force.
Earlier this week, approximately 270 soldiers from 16 Air Assault Brigade executed a coordinated airborne operation over Salisbury Plain, descending from three RAF A400M transport aircraft flying at 800 feet.
A fourth aircraft delivered a further 24 tonnes of essential equipment and supplies, ensuring that troops on the ground could fight and sustain themselves effectively. The entire operation was launched from RAF Brize Norton, home of the RAF’s Air Mobility Force.
Algo más sobre este ejercicio: https://www.forcesnews.com/services/army/not-my-best-landing-im-down-personnel-remark-their-biggest-parachute-drop-over-decade
First to be dropped are the heavier stores – javelin anti-tank missiles and 81mm mortars – that an individual cannot carry. These are released adjacent to the troops, ensuring paratroopers never land on the same drop zone.
Just 40 seconds later, the next aircraft is sighted, and soon a cascade of parachutes litters the skies above.
Upon landing, personnel adopt a technique known as the parachute landing fall, designed to distribute the force across the body to prevent injury. Essentially, a tight body position with feet and knees together, landing on the balls of the feet first, and a controlled roll.
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He said the deployment of 276 parachutists, four aircraft, 24 tonnes of freight, all in under 30 minutes, had gone to plan, highlighting the importance of these operations in a conflict theatre.
"We can deliver a company, two or three hundred soldiers at two days' readiness," he explained. "We could deliver the best part of a battlegroup, some 1,000 soldiers, at five days' readiness.
"And the best part of a brigade, up to 5,000 soldiers, in about 20 days. Very high readiness – and we're ready for anything."
El US Army explora la compatibilidad del paracaídas T-11 en los A400M: https://defence-blog.com/u-s-army-tests-upgraded-airdrop-systems/
“We’ve been working on a project for interoperability between the U.S. T-11 main parachute and the European A400M transport plane,” Hurtado said. “For this big test week, we invited a lot of international partners to showcase the interoperability that we already have.”
T.23-01 en FIDAE 2026: https://www.aviacionline.com/espanol/defensa/a400m-at-fidae-2026-from-military-airlifter-to-capability-multiplier-and-strategic-deterrent_a69d72c66f0c23208bf7bdd5d
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Arrival of the Spanish Air Force and Space A400M in Santiago, Chile. Photo: Gustavo Roe - Aviacionline.
https://youtu.be/FK5X1GJ6kIg
Nuevo artículo que sitúa al C390 como favorito en el MTA debido al alto precio del A400M: https://www.airdatanews.com/airbus-a400-m-seen-losing-ground-in-indias-mta-competition-over-size-and-cost-concerns/
El primer ministro de RU, Stamer, visita EAU en un A400M: https://www.reutersconnect.com/item/britains-pm-starmer-visits-uae/dGFnOnJldXRlcnMuY29tLDIwMjY6bmV3c21sX1JDMk5MS0FZT09XVA
Actualización oficial sobre la disponibilidad de la flota británica, que se consolida con 10 unidades utilizables en todo momento de 16 utilizables de 22. Acaban de recuperar dos unidades que llevaban fuera de servicio una larga temporada debido al motor. También aumentan las horas de vuelo un 31 %: https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/52558/documents/292604/default/
Atlas A400M
Further to our letter of 19 September 2025 about A400M in-service performance, I am pleased to be able to provide you and the Committee with a further update.
Capability: A400M Atlas capability expansion continues, with tactical datalink now inservice and further air despatch trials underway to establish its capability as the primary tactical airlift platform for the Royal Air Force (RAF). Operational integration of low-level parachuting is progressing well through force generation of the Joint Airborne Task Force.
Following the agreement for the final contracted build standard and Block 0 upgrade, requirements for the subsequent upgrade (Block 1) are now under negotiation. The Department is leading a coherent, cross government export effort, with industry stepping up its posture and HMG establishing a dedicated, RAF supported, campaign construct. This will be essential to drive new opportunities and protect the UK’s strategic stake in the programme.
Availability: At the last update it was reported that enhancements to the engine support arrangements as part of Availability Improvement Programme Phase 3 (AIP3) had yielded significant benefits. This trend has continued, enabling the recovery of the final two long-term unserviceable aircraft, resulting in the Actual Operating Fleet increasing to a historic high of sixteen aircraft. Every aircraft is typically at five days readiness or better.
Since the September 2025 update, availability has steadily increased and in the latest full month, January 2026, availability was measured as ten Fit for Purpose (FFP) aircraft per day. This represents a 35% increase in availability since January 2025 when it was 7.4 FFP aircraft per day. Due to the improving availability, it has been agreed that Defence will increase the number of aircraft available for worldwide tasking from 8 Task Lines to 9, in March 2026 on a pathway towards the longer-term goal to deliver 12 Task Lines sustainably by Q4 2027.
Output in Fleet Flying Hours (FH) has also steadily increased throughout the year from 697 FH in January 2025 to 912 FH in January 2026, a 31% increase. In FY24/25 the output in FHs was circa 9,300 FH whereas it is currently projected to reach approximately 9,800 FH in FY25/26 with an aspiration to approach 11,000 FH in FY 26/27. It is anticipated the increase in output will be achieved through further AIP3 initiatives.
Indonesia recibe su segunda unidad: https://news.ssbcrack.com/indonesia-receives-second-airbus-a400m-transport-aircraft/
Están evaluando la posibilidad de comprar el kit contraincencios.
De momento, Indonesia no se pronuncia sobre la compra de cuatro unidades adicionales: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/indonesia-says-no-final-decision-on-buying-four-more-a400m-military-planes
Movimientos de unidades españolas. Al menos han volado los T.23-01, -02, -04, -11, -12 y -13.
· T.23-11 regresando desde Lituania, comenzando el repliegue del Destacamento Vilkas: https://x.com/MilRadar/status/2039671250188910938
· T.23-13 en vuelo de ida y vuelta a Lituania: https://x.com/MilRadar/status/2041510480133468578
· T.23-04 en vuelo de ida y vuelta a Lituania: https://x.com/MilRadar/status/2041973606519800136
· T.23-13 a Gando: https://x.com/MilRadar/status/2042675222147395599
· T.23-12 a Beirut: https://x.com/MilRadar/status/2043037518656889205
· T.23-13 a Mauritania: https://x.com/MilRadar/status/2043345360723099910
· TK.23-02 operando desde Zaragoza: https://x.com/MilRadar/status/2043688403623870813
· TK.23-02 a Melilla: https://x.com/MilRadar/status/2044065002974335427
· T.23-12 sobre Torrejón: https://x.com/MilRadar/status/2044458263299719272
· T.23-01 regresando de Chile, previa escala en Fortaleza (Brasil) y Cabo Verde: https://x.com/MilRadar/status/2044458263299719272
